# Turnabout Teardown: Steadfast Spring

Hadair-Odaocer

Track 01 - Liner Notes


"This is gonna be fun."


09:31AM.

These past few days had been spent practicing, planning, rehearsing and preparing. And last night was the final rehearsal. It was this or the highway. No more preparation. It had come sooner than you thought.

Everything was in place and operational. It was now time to begin. The sun shone brightly above, a thankful change from the rain of the past few days. Though cold from the mid-vestiges of spring it was looking to warm up quickly.

At least it wasn't winter anymore. Looking back, this spring had been a steadfast one, with new friends, allies and enemies all appearing constantly.

Just like the last 'show' a small flag was given to each of the participants. This time is was purple, the logo of the company emblazoned in gold. The guards were aware a 'concert' was planned a week ago. Most of them had forgotten by now, giving the element of surprise. All they knew was that it was coming.

The venue had sold out, 'fans' walking the building and 'opening acts' having completed their surveillance.

Before the 'performance' could begin there, one last roll call was needed. Was everyone ready and willing?

"████, █████? How are you two doing?"

"Fine."

"All set here. Pretty excited too! This is gonna kickass!"

"██████ and ██████?"

"We should be arriving real soon." ██████ said motherly.

"Wow, I've never been to this part of the city. So many high buildings!" ██████ said happily. You could hear other children chatting in the background. ██████ wasn't the only one excited.

"██████ and ████. What's your status? And how is █████ █████ doing?"

"Quite alright, thank you." ██████ said.

"Yeah, █████'s a bit antsy but ready. Still think I should drive but ehn."

"There will be plenty of time for you to drive, I am sure." ██████ cleared his circuits.

"This is going to be quite interesting. If ███ does betray us then there will be hell to pay." ███████ said sternly.

"We'll get 'em dad." █████ said encouragingly.

"█████?"

"I'm here aren't I? What exactly am I supposed to do anyways?" She asked, still using ████' voice.

"Replicate voices, my dear. We shall give you instruction." ██████ chimed in.

"Whatever."

There was a short silence as you checked through the list, making sure everything was in place.

"Forgetting someone?" █ asked, annoyed. He warped to your phone, tapping his feet.

"Yes, yes. █. How are you feeling today?"

"Well I feel like I'm can blow this whole building up. Can we get started already? I can't wait to start wreaking havoc!"

"Looks like we're all ready. Good luck everyone."

"Just a reminder everyone." ██████ added. "The stakes are much higher here than ████. We cannot lose █████." The words echoed in your head.

This was going to be tough...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some notes before we begin.

This story is dedicated to my brother who is a huge fan of FNF and helped immensely when I had questions about lore and who should appear. Any character with a FNF mod is game to appear.

Because I don't like using my real name when writing, the character's canonical name is Geist. The character is supposed to be your name. You do not have to be an FNF expert to understand wtf is going on.

Track 02 - Too Close To The Sun


"If I may ask, what happened?"


Newgrounds City.

The animation and game capital of the world.

To you anyways. To describe it as "like any town" would be grossly incorrect. There was always something going on, some festival, some art showcase, some concert or some cataclysmic event. The city was always alive. You'd lived here all your life and there were still things you were learning about the city, all this time later. It was one of the weirdest cities on earth. The city's history was just as colourful, though not the subject of the discussion.

You were (still are in spirit) a young detective working for the NCPD. It was only a few days ago that you were considered a rising star in the ranks of the department. While more 'green' than the rest, you clearly outshined your colleagues. Compared to them you were head and shoulders better than most of the other cops. At one point you had been worried about making such a big splash but as time went those worries faded.

"You are set to be a boss one day. I feel it." The chief had proclaimed after one particularly noteworthy bust.

You wanted to make a difference in the city. You began taking crimes nobody wanted to tackle and go after criminals nobody cared too. You were hungry, and as cliché as it sounded, stopping crime was the only meal.

Management liked your go-getter-ness and watched closely, lending a hand when needed. In such a short time you had gone from a desk jockey to neighborhood watch to homicide detective to eventually head of your own division. You were aiming for sheriff and maybe, even chief one day.

Corruption, murder, thievery, fraud, you targeted them all. As head of your own division you begun to use its vast power to look into street gangs and drug rings.

After having busted one particular street gang you were given a week off to collect your thoughts. That week, while relaxing was spent drudging up the report for a new group you wanted to tackle.

The Dearest Family.

A family of musicians who had been using their vast industry connections to slowly take over the criminal underworld. Just as long as their careers had existed so had the shady rumours of their deeds.

Though famous musicians they had deep claws in practically every industry you laid your eyes on. While famous, the rumour had always followed them that they were the "traders of souls", that they had illegal business dealings with Hell. Ferrymen was the name you heard them called. Of course, that was the biggest rumour they had.

They had gained an almost legendary status over the years. They were among one of the most powerful groups in the city.

The crimes they had 'allegedly' committed was long, most cases you could find having gone unsolved. It always seemed they were just out of justice's reach. With the resources of the NCPD at your disposal you were going to uncover all of it. Extortion, bribery, fraud, murder, assassinations and more. The list was extensive.

You joked with a colleague that it was easier to find the crimes they hadn't of committed.

Your proposal was immediately met with opposition. The boss was strangely apprehensive to you opening this investigation. Right out of the gate it found roadblocks. The boss made all sorts of excuses as to why you couldn't but you beat them all. You simply had too much evidence of wrongdoings.

A special inquiry was absolutely a must.

And then, after delaying approval as much as he could you were finally given the investigation. That's when things started going south. Suddenly there were all these rules investigating, statues of limitations, ethics complaints against the department and more. Despite the opposition you continued. Members of your squad begun to be replaced, people vanishing, questions unanswered and more.

You just went along with it, not seeing anything wrong with that.

Evidence became misplaced and witnesses either disappeared or decided they had no longer anything to say. You got used to hearing "I saw nothing." over the weeks. You ignored those signs. No backing down. You knew this would be hard. At least you had the PD on your side.

That's when the threats began to pour in. First it was just a few threatening e-mails from random accounts. Then you began to get strange texts warning you to stop. You couldn't figure out where they were coming from, having guessed that one of the witnesses you'd talked to was in on it. Then finally, notes left at your desk and letters at your house. The warning was simple.

Stop. The. Investigation.

You decided against it. You were getting there and you had the evidence. At least the cops were still on your side...right?

You began taking some work home. Just in case. You counted a few times you were followed, unmarked cars tailing your driving, people glancing away as you looked.

You reminded yourself constantly. It was just intimidation. They wouldn't do anything. They couldn't do anything. Despite all that had happened it had only served to make you paranoid. You found yourself second-guessing things and checking your car extensively before driving off.

Someone didn't want this investigation to continue. Then, after just two months of the project you came home to see your front windows smashed in. Someone had thrown bricks through them, a torn note attached to each.

"THIS IS YOUR FAULT."

Predictably, nobody saw anything. That next day you arrived to your office to find it closed off, the chief wanting a word with you. You arrived to find several of your superiors and various "ombudsmen" there.

It was like a court. They made some claim you were stealing from the department, that you h. Also made some bizarre claims about bribery, claiming you had accepted bribes from one of the Family's enemies to investigate and that it was a breach of code.

You argued against the dismissal but it was no use. It was if they were making claims up on the spot against you. Your memory became hazy here, having cast out whatever exact BS reason they had conjured up. It was simple. You went too far and now you pay the price.

But, despite the show of force against you, you could tell in the chief's eyes he was against what was happening. While the 'court' had argued you deserved imprisonment the chief managed to get them down from that result. In the end you were terminated without pay. In a strange way he had become your lawyer.

While in the 'court' you realized something. That the corruption ran deeper than you thought. That whether they were paid off, friends of, threatened by, or what; that they were not acting on their own. You had violated unwritten rules and touched the untouchables.

You knew you were going after the royal dynasty of the criminal underworld. That was a given.

What you didn't know, was that they were steadfastly becoming the royal dynasty of the city.

In the end you were dismissed, or was it forced-resignation? You weren't paying much attention at the point, mind drifting to more important things.

On the ride home you had a lot to think about. What to do now, how best to continue the investigation and how to make them pay. All of them. Your initial thought was that the investigation was just beginning.

Those thoughts were smashed as soon as you stepped out of your car in the driveway. Waiting in the garage was somebody. You didn't get a look but the next thing you knew was something smashed over your head and rendered unconscious.

When you came to you were tied up in some dark room. There standing in the light was none other than the patriarch of the family Daddy Dearest.

Bleary-eyed and possibly drugged you struggled to stay upright. He spoke sternly but arrogantly. Said how you were ruffling too many feathers, didn't know your place and didn't know how this city worked. You had trouble listening, an incessant ringing in your head blocking most of it out.

In the end he commented how the chief was the only reason you were still alive and "the next time you see me, my face will be the last thing you see." Those words stayed with you, echoing clearly through your head. Knocked out again you awoke sometime later sprawled out on your lawn, unbound, coming off some drug trip and sore from a beating. They must have just thrown you onto the driveway as your face was a bit cut up from the pavement, a few drops of blood having been splattered on it. A black eye was present too that you had no recollection of. And there was a large bump on the back of your head.

Reeling from the come down you threw up. However, despite everything it wasn't the worst thing that happened.

You crawled into your house to find it had been burgled. Looking around it was clear the thieves had only taken on the thing. The case files. All of them, backups included. They had torn up the place looking for them but left the rest intact.

Drawers left disheveled, television thrown over but somehow still intact, cutlery thrown to the ground a plates smashed. It was a simple message. This was your fault.

To rub salt in the wound they had also stolen your police-issued handgun. Fortunately you had a backup. And it didn't leave your pocket for the next two days.

Spent from the beating, firing and everything that had gone on you needed some rest. Climbing up stairs to your room was not a possibility. You merely crawled up to the couch and, brushing off some glass shards you lied down on it.

As you rested on the couch only one thing rang in your mind.

They will pay.

All of them.

Justice had faded. You didn't care about an investigation anymore. You wanted revenge now.

Two months of investigating had led to this. The only brightside was that it had all happened on a Friday. You took the weekend to get everything back in order.

You spent the next two days cleaning up and just thinking to yourself what to do next. They would pay; all of them. That you were sure of, having repeated it in your head hundreds of times over the weekend. You had enough money saved that you could coast for a few weeks at least.

Nay, money was the least of your concerns. You were alone with your mind and it listened attentively.

It wasn't like this when you were a kid. Back then the worst things to deal with were the Tankman Wars and the Hominid Invasions. Sure they were violent but not like this. The city had changed. This ran deep. This wasn't some random invader trying to take the city. This was the result of a slow and static cancer, ever-growing.

You shut your phone off, not wanting to converse with anyone. Eventually by order of the chief a few officers showed up for a wellness check. You lied about the burglary and the beating saying you had fallen. They were curious about the investigation, nearly forcing their way in. You allowed them in but assured them you weren't going to touch that Family. You made up and excuse that you were going to take a few weeks off to rest then become a private investigator, "solving domestic disputes or something."

No doubt they had considered the option you still had backups of the case on your computer but insisted you didn't. That you did everything old-school and always leave a paper trail. You leaned into the paranoia that all things digital could be modified. That and, the burglars had also stolen your police-issued laptop. You were a stickler for rules and never had any case files on your personal devices as per their tech policy.

One of the officers cracked a joke about there being no shortage of those which just left you disgusted.

Satisfied with your answer they departed, presumably to tell the 'powers that be' you weren't a threat. You didn't leave the house for a few days after that, occasionally taking a look outside for watchers. Though you spotted a few unmarked vehicles none remained long.

Eventually with some elbow grease you repaired the damage, fixed the windows and door and cleaned up the place. Time flew by. In the meantime you subsisted on a steady diet of hatred and booze. Checking your watch it was Tuesday now. You'd calmed down, having a lot of time to think and a lot of alcohol in your system.

A lot of things were still unclear at this point. Only one thing lended itself to be true. They would pay. Many times while you were resting or cleaning did a villainous monologue play in your head.

Realizing that you hadn't eaten in a few days you decide to go out. There wasn't anything good in the fridge anyways. You desperately needed a drink too, having drained your liquor collection over the week. You don your brown trench coat and conceal your handgun. You figure the Family would still be watching closely. The unmarked cars had stopped showing up on Monday but there was no telling what they had planned.

You turned on your phone for the first time in days only to find a few missed calls from the chief and a message asking how you were. Despite the fanfare there wasn't a single threatening message waiting. It was over.

You step outside to brisk weather. The trench coat was a good idea as it shielded you from the harsh winds outside. It was early spring but it sure didn't feel like it. There were still piles of snow around and the ground hadn't thawed yet. It felt as if summer was a long time away.

Before even getting in your car you do a quick check. There were no bombs strapped underneath nor any cut brakes. Nothing on the driveway either.

You get in and drive off.

With how many connections the family had you knew a lot of places were off limits. Fortunately, during the investigation you had found one place that was safe. It was not only unaffiliated with the family but outright hostile to them.

Displo's.

You started going there at the start of the investigation. During the investigation the restaurant you used to frequent made some rule that they couldn't serve you anymore. A little digging later you found they were in the pocket of the family. In the end, Displo's was more than happy to accommodate you and take your money.

You found the place through the investigation. The owner, Displo was one of the few people actually willing to cooperate with you. He even took a personal interest in the investigation as well.

When the paranoia first arrived it led you to think he was the one bragging about your case.

It didn't help that you finally had a cooperative witness too. It arose suspicions. Back then you did some digging into Displo and his restaurant, eventually finding the whole place was a front for some tech company called IRIS. Further digging you found nothing on IRIS related to the family except for a few incidents where they may have launched their own attacks on them. Either way, it was safe.

The front also explained why the decor of the place was so random.

You weren't sure exactly why they hated the Family so much but they did nearly crash one of the Daddy's concerts a few months back. Whatever their motives were, it would be safe to dine there. Plus, they served a really good cheeseburger.

The place gave the appearance of a high end restaurant but the prices were affordable.

You step in, greeted by a fancy looking establishment.

A purple carpeted floor lined the ground, wooden tables and red-cushioned chairs of all sorts placed atop around the restaurant. There were booths lining the walls with a various arrangement of paintings, sports memorabilia and pictures of the bar. There didn't seem to be any theme going as it looked as if a little of everything was here. The place was also really well lit, in contrast with the often dark and mysterious bars you were familiar with. Just plain bright yellow lights illuminating the establishment.

The bar was on the side taking a considerable amount of space from the restaurant. Presumably there was a kitchen behind there though you couldn't tell. There were a lot of doors around, not clearly marked. Kitchens, private rooms, washrooms, you weren't sure.

From behind the bar stood Displo. He was dressed in typical bartender attire, white dress shirt and black dress pants. He was a slim bartender, towering over the actual bar.

Atop his shoulders in place of a head was a TV screen. It was glowing faintly a TV test pattern on it, showing various colours. Seeing you arrive he immediately waved you over. The colours on his face flickered so slightly seeing the band aids and bruises on your face. He was a robot, or android, or cyborg; he'd explained you the difference one day but you'd forgotten.

There didn't seem to be many waiters tonight. You nod and make your way to the bar.

Being a Tuesday night the place wasn't that busy. There were a few patrons about, mostly having dinner with friends. There were not many at the bar tonight, you spy only a few other drinkers.

You had quickly learned that most IRIS employees got discounts here so most patrons consisted of them. Displo remarked that a non-IRIS person would be spottable a mile away. It also explained why he noticed your presence so quickly the first time you entered.

Beside the bar was a stage with a small jazz ensemble. Consisting of several crafty characters, none of which were human they played smooth jazz. Despite the relaxed nature of the music they seemed to be into it the way each member nursed their instrument. The music wasn't intrusive. They had an anthro goose singer who singer consisted of making animal calls and cries to the audience. It was strange, but not obtrusive.


Now Playing...


Artist: Robert Baldwin


Song: White Sand


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8439jvOIjWY


You take a seat at the bar, Displo immediately dropping what he was doing and coming to you.

"Rough day?" He asked.

"Yeah, something like that. The usual, please."

"Of course." Displo knelt behind the counter, and put a cup to the spout. "I was wondering where you had been."

"If I may ask, what happened?" Displo questioned.

"Just a minor setback." You said coldly. You weren't that interested in re-discussing what had already occurred.

"I see." Displo placed the drink in front of you. Some kind of light bourbon, foaming at the top. You take a swig, ignoring the burning it causes in your throat.

"You're food will be coming in just a few minutes." Displo spoke. You just nod in response, slowly drinking your poison.

Displo departed going to see how some other customers were doing. You notice him glance back at you strangely. His face shone the same but he cocked his head as if giving a second glance.

He looked away immediately after seeing your glance. You finish up the beer. You didn't intend to stay sober for long tonight, just holding out for the food.

You sigh. Off to your left from the entrance you notice another person take a seat at the bar. It was someone concealed in a blue hoodie and a navy blue scarf covering their face. You could just faintly catch two glowing yellow eyes within it. Whoever they were, they didn't seem to notice your presence. They had a large backpack on too. Likely not from around here. You think. Sitting on the stool they hunched over, trying not to look at anyone directly.

After having been followed constantly the last two months that sight set off warning bells within you. The last thing you needed was to get attacked again.

You look back to Displo who like you has also noticed the person take a seat. He flinches slightly at seeing them and he quickly goes up to them, whispering something at them.

You relax slightly. It seemed whoever that figure was, was an acquaintance of Displo. The whispering gets angrier as Displo apparently wasn't happy said person appeared. He was tensing up, appearing as if he was trying to keep his cool.

It was none of your concern so you tune it out. You begin scrolling through recent messages as you begin to course your actions. You order another beer, finishing it rather quickly.

After a few minutes of mindless scrolling social media feeds you look over to the figure. There was now a glass of water in front of him. At least, you think it's a man. You couldn't tell for sure. He was trying his appear innocuous and was scribbling something on a notepad.

"If it's within my purview tonight, may I ask how the investigation is going?" Displo asked, catching you off guard. He placed a large cheeseburger and potato wedges. A cartoon-ish design of a cat was stamped into the sesame seed covered bun.

The "Cheezburger", a 'signature' dish from Displo's.

You don't look at Displo, instead just muttering. "It's over."

You feel him starring at you worryingly. "Absolutely?"

"No dice. It's done." You let out a large sigh. "The family won."

"That's quite unfortunate. Your wounds are a conciliation prize I presume."

You don't respond, instead taking a large bite of the cheeseburger.

"I'll leave you to it then." Displo says quietly before excusing himself to the back room.

Alone again you think more. Maybe you could just become a PI. Or at least do something for 'justice', auditor, compliance officer, security guard, whatever. That would of course come after you take your revenge. As for what the 'revenge' was, you were stumped. They were untouchable. At some point you had ordered another drink, finishing it sometime after. You felt relaxed and at ease; a far cry to how you felt earlier.

You notice Displo had returned and was re-arranging some bottles on the shelves behind him. He was carefully looking at each glass and how much liquor was left in them.

The jazz band had taken a break and was tuning instruments, drinking some water before the next set. You glance around. Aside from the figure there was nobody here that stood out.

There were a few customers who clearly looked to be IRIS employees. The lab coats they wore were a dead giveaway. It wasn't even that well-hidden that it was a front. You weren't going to complain however, this place was above all, safe.

Having finished your food you order another draft. You make a silent promise when you figure out what to do next to cut out alcohol. You knew you had drunk enough that last few days.

"If I may ask again, your...injuries are from our man in common?" Displo asked what he had been thinking since you told him the investigation ended.

You nod. While you kept it a secret from those wellness officers you felt okay with telling Displo. After all, the 'man in common' was someone Displo had expressed displeasure with before.

"I see. The investigation then, it wasn't your call was it?"

While you'd known Displo for a few months now he always had trouble with what you called "mob-speak" or "speaking without speaking." You were unsure what he meant but guessed anyways.

"Nope."

"...And your...positio-"

"I'm not a cop anymore Displo. It's over."

"Then I will speak candidly. I knew that family has their hands in everything but to hold the police to? I did not foresee this development."

"Uh-huh."

"The family has hands in everything." Displo repeated. "Do you know what your next move will be?" There was a hint of concern in his modulated voice.

"Nope. Could I get another on tap? Something a bit stronger this time?"

"Certainly."

Displo started pouring another drink. With the band having taken a rest you can make out the pouring sound from behind the counter.

"I don't know. What do you think I should do?" You ask Displo. You two shared a common enemy. Maybe he had ideas.

"Hmm. Have you thought of going higher? Federal agents?" He placed the drink down.

"I meant regarding our mutual friend." You respond.

"I-Uh-There's...nothing...I can...legally say regarding that topic." He was trying to find the right words. You got what he meant though. He couldn't mention any 'legal' paths to enact your revenge.

"I think..-hold on a second." Displo paused looking at something behind you. You glance back, seeing a few customers waving him over to pay. You nod back at Displo and he walks off.

You take the drink and started drowning your sorrows out with it. There had to be something you could do; other than just run into the compound guns blazing.

As you pound back your drink you get a notification on your phone. You check it, just a spam e-mail for some mob movie coming out soon.

Satisfied with the break time the jazz band resumes playing, albeit joined by a drummer from the audience. They resume playing smooth jazz, the drummer occasionally overdoing it with the fervor.

"Uh, excuse me?" A high-pitched voice says from behind the counter. It was one of the waiters, dressed in a similar attire to Displo. She was human however. "For you."

She placed a beer down, foam forming around the ring, coaster under the glass.

"I didn't order anything." While you were sufficiently buzzed you at least had your wits about you. You knew you didn't order another drink.

"It's paid for, from the gentlemen over there." She said, pointing to the mysterious figure. He looked down when you glanced over, resuming the scribbling in his notebook.

"Thanks." You say to the waiter and send her off.

While you'd been paying the figure no mind, this act set off warning bells within you. Why you? What did he want? You decide not to drink the beer, it could be poisoned after all. You take it, just for appearances.

You get up and go straight for the figure. He was about the same size as you. He paid you no mind as you sit upon the stool near him.

"Well. What do you want?" You ask.

"Your problem." The figure said. He had a distinct accent you weren't able to place. Eastern European maybe? Either way he sounded gruff. Looking closer his whole attire was rough and weathered. It was definitely well worn. There were flayed edges and a few holes in his dark blue hoodie.

"Is this them?"

He didn't face you when he spoke, instead staring down at the counter, holding a glass of water with a gloved hand. He slid a folded paper along the counter. You take, unfolding it. It was a simple drawing of Daddy Dearest, the so-called Patriarch of the family.

"That's him."

"I figured." He took a drink of the water. You could just barely make out some sort of detail on his face. He didn't look human. He spoke monotone, voice quiet just above a whisper.

"You're a cop?" He asked.

"Was a cop. Detective officially."

"Hrmm."

"Well. What?" You ask.

"I want to know. What happened? Tell me." He said after some thinking.

Track 03 - Goat-Headed Man


"They did this to me!"


"What do you know about them?" You ask the figure.

"That you aren't the only one they wronged. They did unspeakable things to me. I can't talk out here though. Get us a room."

"Alright." You instinctively touch your handgun, just making sure it was still there. You still had no reason to trust this person. Not to mention the buzz made you a little uneasy.

Displo returned to the counter hand washing some glasses. The figure raised a hand and waved him over. At first he pretended not to see but upon noticing you with him acknowledge the figures presence.

"Something for you two?" Displo asked.

"Can we get a private room?"

Displo cocked his head slightly as if processing the request.

"May I speak to you privately first, (Y/N)?"

"Uh. Sure. Excuse me..." You wait him to say his name but the figure remains silent. "Right then." Displo leads you away closer to where you previously sitting. He leans forward, closer to you.

"I would not recommend engaging with that guy. He's a bad influence." Displo whispered.

"What's his deal?"

"Has history with the Family; as you and I, but he's unhinged. He comes here every so often, hunting for one of those family members." Displo glanced in the figure's direction. "Said family members actually visited once. Even before I could throw them out that man was here, threatening to blow up the place. He is a radical, through and through." Displo added.

"What happened to him?"

"I do not know but I advise you to steer clear of him."

"Hm. I'll keep that in mind." While Displo was trying to discourage you; it only made you more interested. If anything, his disapproval served as an endorsement. This 'radical' was someone like you.

"If you'd like I can have him escorted from the premises." Displo chimed in.

"I think I'll be fine."

Displo stood up and crossed his arms. "If you say so. But please, don't do anything reckless in my establishment."

"Don't worry. I'll be careful."

Displo nods in approval. He waves over the figure.

"Follow me."

He gets up as well, following Displo. The figure walked head down so as to conceal his face. You still had no idea what or who this person was. But you were intrigued so far.

Displo lead the two of you into another part of the restaurant. It was a corridor with curtains lining the sides, each leading to a private dining booth. You'd never seen this side of the restaurant before. To further add to the randomness of the restaurant it appeared to have a more Japanese-style to it.

"Here we are." Displo stopped at one of the curtains, pulling it aside for you two. "If you need anything please give the bell a ring."

Inside was a booth and table like you had seen in the main restaurant, though width slightly longer. It was raised partially as well. It contained a window on the side of the wall, opposite to the curtains. If anything, the place looked like a train caboose, retrofitted for a restaurant. Like the rest of the place, it didn't match the aesthetic. The seats had a deep red colour to them, likely made of leather. You make a step up and take a seat, putting the gifted beer up on the table.

The figure goes to take the bench opposite to you but he is stopped by Displo.

"No funny business, you understand that? I got my sights on you."

"Hmph."

"(Y/N), keep him under control." Displo adds.

You nod. Displo nods back and walks off back to the main bar.

The figure takes a seat and puts his notebook and water glass down. Still concealed in his hood and a hat he looks directly at you. He had sunglasses on and removed them. You make two glowing yellow eyes and something peaking out of the hood that didn't fit. A nose perhaps? He takes his backpack off and places it next to him.

Up closer now you get a good look at the figure. He wore a dark blue hoodie and wore black gloves. On the hoodie was some sort of logo you couldn't make out. His hood was on concealing most of his face sans two bright eyes which shown faintly. Just from looking at them you could see fury in them. While his hood was on he still wore a hat that matched his hoodie. To add to his anonymity he had a scarf on concealing most of his face, and previously had a pair of sunglasses.

Like you noted earlier, his attire was all weathered. The edges of the hoodie were frayed and it looked like it had seen better days. Despite the rugged appearance he gave, he did not appear to smell at all. His clothing appeared tattered in parts and imperfectly sewn elsewhere. Whether it was because of his 'unhinged-ness' Displo claimed or because he'd been through a lot he was rough looking. Even his gloves as he rested them on the table, had a few loose threads visible.

The only thing that looked to be in pristine shape was his hat. Dark blue as well, it was one of those hats you recall seeing chimney-sweepers wear. It looked like a dome, with a tongue on the front.

He had a very punk-ish appearance to him.

"Are you gonna drink that?" He asked monotonely.

"Why? Did something to it?" You shot back.

"Nyet. I paid for that and if you aren't going to have it I want it back."

"Sure. Knock yourself out." The figure nods and takes the beer. He starts downing the amber coloured liquid.

"So. What do you know about the family?" He began.

"That depends. I want to know who you are and what you know first." You respond. While still intrigued there still wasn't a reason to trust him.

"That isn't how this is going to work." He said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"You were eavesdropping on my conversation. I think I deserve to at least hear your issue first. I don't even know who you are."

"Fine. You wanna know why I hate that family? This is why."

With a dramatic pose the figure took his hat off, removed the hood and took off the scarf. Now you could see what it was hiding.


While you had thought he was human or anthro, you were wrong. He had no visible neck, it was see-through. Though, upon closer look it was there, faintly seen as one could see someone using invisibility. Where he was should have been was the skull of a goat, two curled horns atop it. In place of eyes were two small yellow flames, staring directly at you. His hat, while it had been hiding his horns was now sitting perfectly in between them, covering the top of his skull-head. While you'd seen re-animated beings before it was clear this man was not one. His jaw moved slightly as he breathed.

But despite all you weren't sure what he meant. After all the things and people you'd seen in Newgrounds City this wasn't that bizarre. Plus, the city had a sizable anthro community. He looked 'normal'.

"T-they did what?"

"They did this to me!" He said a little louder, motioning to his face. He took of his gloves, revealing bony hands. It was as if he had no skin. "See?"

"I'm supposed to be like you. Not this...freak I am." He said sullenly.

"Well. I, uh, don't think you look that bad." You mutter. He just growls in response. "Alright. I believe you." You say.

You extend a hand out. "Names (Y/N), former detective, investigator." The figure waits a second but accepts the handshake. Despite appearances his hand felt warm and soft. Maybe it was his skin was invisible?

"Tabi." The man said.

"Tabi? Huh..." You'd heard that name before. It was floated during the investigation. "I've heard of you."

Tabi took a swig of the beer, the liquid disappearing into his skull. You catch it briefly disappearing down vanishing behind his scarf. "Oh yeah? What do you know?" He slurred his some of his W's making it sound more like a V-sound.

You try to recall his page in your investigation documents. "Rapper, I think? You had contact with the family and then been missing ever since. It was a dead end, so we figured they had killed you."

"Almost. I will tell you what happened, but you will tell no other soul about it. Then you will tell me what happened to you." He definitely had some sort of accent, it was more clear now. It had to have been eastern European or something close.

"Alright. Go ahead." You agreed.

You let Tabi speak without interruptions. You learn that he was originally a human and a music producer. You never really listened to the stuff so predictably you hadn't heard of him. He was dating the Daddy's daughter. He claimed that she wasn't even interested in Tabi. "It was all part of some sick game to further her career."

He caught on and tried to stop it. Before he could confront her was kidnapped and then awoke having become a "monster". Apparently most of his body was invisible, though the how eluded him. It was still there at least. He said that occasionally it appears as a sickly translucent white, further adding that he was a 'ghost'.

You knew very little of their daughter. She wasn't part of the 'family business' and that they had gone through great lengths to conceal her identity. You recall an anonymous tip that her name might've been 'Cherry' but there was no record of anyone with that name.

You focus back on Tabi's story.

Since then he'd been tracking the (now-former) girlfriend to 'get some answers'. He winced when he said that, your instincts picking up a hidden meaning. You didn't know her name but he referred to her as just 'Girlfriend'. Like 'Daddy Dearest' you figure it be some alias. It didn't seem as if he was referring to her as that out love.

You didn't detect any love within the way he spoke. He didn't act like some spurned lover. He seemed to have genuine regret and pain as he talked.

As Tabi spoke you could see all the hatred built up in him. He had been going from public space to public place to find her. It had been a little over a year since he'd been reduced to a goat-man. Though you saw little issue in how he looked, it was still a sensitive topic for him.

In a strange way you found his goat visage kind of cool. Witch-King-like, in a way. It was almost hypnotic.

"I will find her. They will pay."

"You haven't seen them since?" You had ordered another drink and were slowly taking it down.

"I caught them once. But her, she has a new boyfriend. We fought but...it didn't end well. I haven't seen them since. They won't get a second chance."

"The daughter. Are you sure it was her and not the dad? In all our investigation never once did she come up as a possible accomplice."

"Humph. How would you know? You weren't on the streets. She's not as innocent as you think." Tabi spat. He lied back and kicked his shoes up on the table revealing two predictably, worn out sneakers and his black stained jeans. At one point the shoes would have had white streaks but they had since yellowed.

"What about you then? What did you do to piss them off?" Tabi asked.

At first you considered not talking, after all, there was no telling if he was some 'double-agent' or anything. But, between the booze and Tabi spilling his guts for someone he barely knew you decide to spill everything.

You give him a detailed explanation of the investigation, the threats, the beating and all. Like you had done he lets you speak without any interruptions, nodding and listening attentively. He took in everything you said, silently understanding that you too had gotten screwed.

You notice his body language perk up when you mention you had backed up the case files but slump when you mention the break-in. After concluding he had one thing to say.

"Hmph. You didn't once think that they were working with the feds from the start? You cops just bend to whoever has the most money. You should have known better."

"Yeah, so? Girlfriend was probably playing you from the start and you didn't see it."

"Fine, whatever."

"That's about it then." You slumped down against the booth. It felt cathartic to finally speak your mind about the case. You weren't sure if it was the drunkenness or just getting it off your chest but you felt better about the whole thing.

"I'll admit I am surprised he didn't outright kill you. The family is ruthless. You're lucky cops look out for other cops."

"Yeah well, I don't respect any of those people anymore. They were all liars. I won't get a second chance."

"What are you going to do about it?" Tabi questioned.

"I don't know yet." You take another drink, finishing the beer. Last one of the night. You felt at ease speaking with Tabi. You still had some doubts about where his heart was but he seemed trustworthy so far.

Tabi, likewise had the same feeling. He hadn't been able to discuss at length with anyone about those events. Sure, he had friends who heard at length but this was the first time he told a total stranger.

"So, you've just been stalking around trying to find your ex-girlfriend?"

"Hmph. Yeah. So what?"

"I just don't think it's a good idea. She's the daughter of a magnate. She probably has security round the clock watching her. You know how protective those people are."

He leans back as if he as a sort of realization, that some things now make sense. "I-I knew that."

"Same with 'girlfriend' as well. I'm still not convinced she's completely to blame."

"You know the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"During those two months of investigation she never came up once. We checked, we didn't find anything that indicated she was part of the 'family business'."

"Yeah, and there was still stuff you didn't know about the investigation. Like me."

"True. It's ju-"

"Well if you have any ideas I'm listening." Tabi said, interrupting you. He was staring at you, eyes glowing as always. It looked as if they were on fire.

"Well, we can't kill them. Too much security. During the investigation we had teams watching them. They're all really well protected." Your phone goes off with a notification.

You check it, another spam e-mail. Though seeing the earlier one again gave you an idea. You put the phone away.

"What if we robbed them?" You lean back. "Like a heist?" You barely heard yourself, the alcohol had taken over.

Tabi uncrosses his arms as he takes in your suggestion. "Fat chance. I've been to their...compound. It's impenetrable and has security tighter than the Berlin wall. Plus aren't you a cop? What happened to protect and serve?"

"I'm not a cop. Not anymore. Protect and serve? Taking them out is helping the community, way I see it."

"Well either way, it's a peabrained idea. It'll get us killed."

"Well who said it's just us? There were tons of people they wronged. There was no shortage of witnesses."

"Huh...Well, maybe if we had some more muscle it could work. I need to think about this." Tabi said, looking up, thinking. A ping emits from Tabi. It was his phone this time.

He adjusts his posture and takes his feet off the table, checking his phone. You see him furrow his brow in annoyance.

"I gotta go. Give me your number." Tabi said. You read him aloud the number and he sends you a text to make sure it works. Satisfied he gets up.

He places a few crumpled bills on the table. "Tell the bot that's for my drinks. I'll text you later." Tabi said before quickly leaving you alone.

You page over Displo and pay for your drinks and the room, departing moments after. Displo seemed a little concerned for you but you made it clear you were fine, just buzzed.

You ask Displo if it's okay to leave your car overnight. You weren't in a state to drive. He agreed.

"Have a good night, (Y/N), and best of luck on the job search. See you tomorrow." You thank him and call a cab.

Tabi had left the bar in a hurry. He had gotten a text message from a 'friend'. She had been spotted. He quickly departed from you and made his way to her location. She was seen with her boyfriend at an arcade meeting with someone.

But, as he honed in on their position he stopped, thinking about your plan. He wanted no more than to kill them, but to rob them of what they got? To take out their power? He began to like the idea. It could be worse than death. He shook his head. But I have my chance right here.

He was running to that alley but as he thought, the run turned into a stroll. He hadn't considered that. He already had a few people in mind he could 'recruit' to help with this 'heist'. Maybe he could kidnap her and ransom her back. No. That father and mother were ruthless.

In the end he made up some excuse to himself that she had to have some kind of security around and that he wasn't prepared for a battle. Plus, he was more curious about you. A random fed breaking rank and going after the family? One that survived an encounter with the so-called "Daddy"? He needed to know more. He stopped walking in the night air and pulled out his phone. There was someone he wanted to call.

Track 04 - The City In All Her Glory


"I just wanted to ask you something about last night."


Morning came too quick.

And it hit like a truck.

You had gone way over your limit at some point and the rest of the evening was a blur. All you knew was that you awoke with a throbbing headache, sore throat and a reeling stomach. You hadn't turned on the heat last night and everything was cold. As you got up and took a hot shower you tried to remember exactly what transpired last evening. The last thing you recall was discussing...something with Displo.

Sufficiently warmed up and dried you get to making some breakfast, checking your phone for any indication of what happened. Not only did the phone read 12:00PM, but there were a few new messages from someone called Tabi. Oh yeah, he was the stalker that has his own beef with the Family.

You decide to just stop drinking all together. Between the lack of food the past few days and the cleaning of the liquor collection it was best to just give it all up. The house was already dry, that was just one less temptation.

It all starts coming back to you as you cook up some food. You, rather the alcohol had come up with the idea to rob the Family. Make them pay. Literally.

With a sober mind you decide to think about it clearly.

It was just a random idea at the time but you started to like it more and more. Money and greed shielded them and if you hit them there they would fall. Of course, if you could get in, even ignoring the money you could cause enough damage to halt or outright stop operations.

When you started you had made an oath to protect and serve, one to not engage in illegal activity. But, as you reflected on it now you the more it meant nothing. Not only had you been thrown out on made-up pretenses but the other officers were complicit. They had all broken their vows probably many times before you found out. Nay, there would be no moral conundrum. Rationalize that whatever you were doing would be more moral than all the corruption anyways.

You knew the law. While this would be highly illegal if executed correct they wouldn't know what hit them. Money laundering, crypto, skipping town, framing some rival faction, the possibilities were endless. And who knows? Maybe that sign of weakness would force the cops to actually do something. Corruption suffocates without money.

Finishing off breakfast you jot some ideas of who to recruit, only to delete them immediately.

While you were respected at the station you knew none of those people would align themselves with you, including the chief. As you thought about it, you realize Tabi had a point. I don't know the street like he did.

After having done your daily pushups and had some water you got to scribbling what was needed first and foremost for the heist.

First and foremost you needed a hideout. You knew your house would not be good. You needed some central point to plan out, a place free from the eyes of both the law and the family.

You knew one place like that. Displo's. It was in a nice part of town where cops rarely needed to go. It even had the bonus of being under control by an organization hostile to the Family!

You had no idea how Displo would take the proposal. You vaguely remember him saying something along the lines of 'no illegal activity'. IRIS did hate them though. Just how much though?

Now remembering you left your car there you decide to ask him anyways. Worst case he would say no. You knew he wouldn't go to the cops about this, after all you had protected him from an investigation by said cops.

Back then it was just genuine disagreement. The charges they had brought forth hardly made sense, but it hadn't occurred they were just trying to take him down like they did you. You shudder at the thought.

Satisfied with a simple breakfast you leave and get a cab to Displo. It was brisk out. Despite the lack of snow on the ground it was still cold enough to see your breath when you exhaled.

The snow was partially melted, only parts remaining were clumps too frozen to melt from the cool sun.

Before you can even take a few steps outside a mailman knocks you over, accidentally running into you. He just helps you up, hands you some mail and runs off to the next house. He seemed to be in quite a hurry.

You check the mail, it was just some spam. With that you were off to Displo's to convince him to join.

You wondered how Tabi was and if he was just humoring you last night. Or even if he was just drunk, speaking to nothing. You consider messaging him but at least wanted Displo's opinion first. The cab driver doesn't make much small talk, and from how groggy he sounded you assumed he had a late night too. Didn't even have the radio on. Just you and your thoughts.

The Family lived on a large compound, several buildings wide. It was compared to a university campus the way it functioned. Almost like a small town within the city.

You hadn't been to the Dearest compound before, nor knew anyone who had. At least, until last night. Tabi must have been there at least once.

With how influential they were you didn't doubt they had top of the line security. You'd arrested burglars before, petty thieves and even bank robbers, but pulling off a heist like this was on a whole different level. At the very least it would require a full team and lots of planning. Not to even mention good opsec and ensuring said plan doesn't leak. It was to be a big task.

You try to think back to any people in the city's past that would have done something on that level. You could only recall two, Henry Stickmin and Hank J. Wimbleton. However, now that you thought of it, neither of those 2 really had a crew. They did most of the work themselves. And while you fancied yourself capable both those guys had skill on levels unreachable.

Recruiting them was out of the picture as well. Hank had been missing for years, off on his own journey and Henry had fled the city after pulling off some insane feats. Last you heard of him, he was in some country without an extradition treaty, making millions off his story.

You mentally shrug. You'd just have to find all the talent locally. The ride comes to a halt, the taxi driver dropping you off in the parking lots of Displo's. You pay your toll and get out.

Aside from a few cars you believed to be employees the place was deserted. You wondered if Displo was even up at this hour. Well he was a robot, cyborg, thing. Maybe he doesn't sleep. No, he had to be. Restaurant opened for lunch. Maybe he had slept in?

The place was definitely closed, a chart on the doors stating that it only opens a little after noon. Despite the note you could see people inside cleaning up and prepping the place. You decide to just go in, Displo had to be around.

Nobody pays you any mind except a staff member who informs you the place is closed. You just say that you're looking for Displo. He nods and disappears into the kitchen, presumably to find the owner.

After a few minutes Displo emerges from the kitchen, dressed in the same clothes he was wearing last night. He also wore an apron. His face displayed the same colours, though the screen blinked upon seeing you.

"(Y/N). I trust your car is in order?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to ask you something about last night."

"I am listening, though please be quick. I have dishes to wash."

"Can we talk privately? It's about...our friend." Displo perked up upon hearing that, he posture adjusting slightly. He nodded. "Very well. Follow me."

He led you to the same booth that you and Tabi had sat in a night prior. He took a seat himself, though no time was wasted on sitting. He immediately began inspecting the table for any spots, pulling out a cloth and wiping it down.

"So. What happened between you two?" Displo asked.

"It's more an idea we had. Would you uh...say you would be interested in helping us out?" Displo stopped cleaning and stared at you. "To what end?" He said firmly. "If you're asking me to participate in Tabi's little firestorm then the answer is no."

You weren't sure what he meant by firestorm. "No, no, I mean...We're planning on robbing the Family." You decide to outright say it. It's not like he could whistleblow to the police anyways. "Hmmm."

"Like a heist, obviously. Their place is well protected."

Like Tabi did when you first suggested the idea, he merely leaned back. The colours on his screened dimmed slightly as he played with the idea.

Finally after pondering the idea for what seemed like minutes he finally spoke up. "That must have been your idea. More high class than that goat's terroristic tactics."

"Well?"

"Well indeed. What exactly would you want from me in this instance?"

You decide to just be blunt. "We need a place to gather, some place secure to plan it out. A hideout. And with this neighborhood and your backing you guys could help conceal us."

"My backing?" Displo said curiously. He looked at you with what you think was suspicion.

"C'mon. I know this place is a front." Displo seemed a bit taken back when you said that, though just as quickly as he displayed it let up. "I know about IRIS and their...position on the Family." Saying that causes Displo to relax slightly. He put a finger on his chin, pondering. It's like he was staring right through you.

"If anyone else would have suggested this I would have denied it outright. Especially that goat. But you...we've watched you before you know. I know you can get results."

"You did huh." This was news to you. Though it did make sense.

"You think we didn't know you looked into us? It was only fair we looked into you. I wouldn't worry about us. We had a mutual enemy and still do....And I do suppose I you a thanks for getting police off our case." Though unseen you could tell he was smiling.

As Displo spoke you put together something that had been bothering you from the start. There were a few details Displo could not have known. It didn't occur to you that IRIS had made him their emissary to you.

"Alright. I guess we're even then. So you're in?"

"Regarding working with the goat I am uncertain. Are you absolutely sure about this? I say this as a friend, not as a member of IRIS. They don't like to tolerate failure."

"Tabi and I need to discuss the plan but we're only going to do this once we know we can. Floor plans, a crew, getaway vehicles, etcetera. We won't do anything rash. I'll keep Tabi under control."

"I will have to see that to believe. I will ask my superiors but I cannot promise anything. I will say though." Displo resumed cleaning, now checking the window and wiping it down. "If they do agree they will likely see you through a proxy. I do not think they will supply anything important. They tend to want to keep their image clean."

"We just need a place to plan."

"I have a few meeting rooms you all can use. And...I know you don't need to be reminded of this but I do need to run a business. You'll still have to pay for meals and all that. And no scenes in the place either."

"That's fine. I'm probably going to meet with Tabi tonight again tonight. You're more than welcome to join."

"Give me your cellular number. I will communicate to you my answer through it. I'd recommend getting someone good with technology on the team. You're going to attract attention with that so you will need good cyber security."

"What about you?"

"Hmph. I wouldn't think you to be so biased (Y/N). I may be technological but a hacker I am not. I just happen to know a lot about it." He said, disapprovingly.

You give Displo your number and get his contact information. He didn't have a phone, cellular service was built directly into himself.

"I'll consider it." Displo adds. With your number verified, Displo gets up and readies to depart.

"Good. Now then. My schedule has been sufficiently set back. I need to make several calls and have the restaurant open soon. If you have nothing else to discuss I will be taking my leave."

"I'm all good. Thanks Displo."

"Be seeing you."

You still felt a bit hungover from last night. You decide to just take it easy for the rest of the day and await a response from Displo. You get in your car and drive home. It's best to take a nap and try and sleep off some of the 'poisoning'.

It didn't take long for a phone call to rouse you from sleep. It was Tabi.

"(Y/N)." He said coldly through the phone.

You clear your throat a bit. "Y-yeah. What's up?"

"I've thought about your idea. We should meet tonight."

"Alright." You cough. "Same time same place."

"Good." Tabi hung up.

In the few moments you shared with Tabi you noticed how distant and solemn he was. You felt a little bad for him but figured that was just the kind of person he was.

You try and continue the nap, though mentally preparing for Displo or someone else to wake you up.

With the melting of snow and the coming of summer there was plenty to be done to fix the cities 'appearance'. One such group was working on the trees in a serene residential neighborhood. In that group was Tabi, holding a rope keeping one of the workers in a tree.

If it wasn't for his friends dad forcing him to work he would have high-tailed it elsewhere by now.

The only other reason he even stayed here was that it was a job out of the public's eye. No busy streets to get spotted in and a low chance of running into that family's goons. He wasn't sure if they were even still after him but preferred not to take the chance. After his last encounter he figured they had at least someone looking.

He hated it here and if they called him bonehead one more time he would go on a killing spree. He would have done anything else but he desperately needed the money. He had skipped breakfast and dinner last night and was trying to hold out for lunch. His hunger had been sustaining itself with anger.

And then, just like clockwork, "Hey bonehead, could you pull a little tighter?"

"You call me that one more time and I will cut you like this tree." Tabi snarled at the man above.

"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try."

"Ey Ralphie, quit bothering the guy." Another worker butted in. Had he not said anything Tabi was prepared to let go of the rope and let the guy possibly break his back.

"Fine, fine whateva. Just focus man."

Tabi said nothing but his stomach growled. The worker must have thought Tabi was growling at him because he immediately responded with, "Yeah, up yours too."

He was almost on break and at least had that forward to look to. His mind was storm of supressing hunger, thinking about the Family and thinking about that 'heist' idea.

Judging by the sun it was almost break time. He had gotten good at that in the past weeks, being able to tell the time based on the sun. The workers got annoyed if he checked his phone. Plus, he had already gotten accosted for calling you earlier.

He had gotten a ping after the call too he was itching to check. Not wanting to further piss off the workers he ignored it. Finally, after having lost track of time and ignoring more comments from the man in the tree it was break time.

It was the first meal of the day, provided by the company. A banana and a turkey + cheese sandwich. Like he always did, Tabi sat away from the workers, thinking in his own world. They had long since stopped trying to make friends with him. As one worker put it "he's all business". As another put it "he's a psychopath". He was sure they said other things, but just ignored it.

Tabi checked his phone. There was a single new message. The display name read "Sol". The message just said to call him at his earliest convenience. He sighed but called. He hoped it related to his request and one of his 'check-ups'.

Once Tabi heard the pickup he began, "Well?".

"No hello? C'mon Tabi, if you expect me to believe you've changed you need to enact common courtesy."

Tabi grumbled. "Hello Sol...durak", he said the last part under his breath.

"I would've preferred you to use my full name but thank you." The speaker pretended not to hear that last word.

"So what is it?"

"I trust the job is treating you okay."

"Yes. It's all working out here just fine and dandy." Tabi said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Good! Now, regarding your friend. We tailed them though they haven't seem to have done much other than be at home and visit that restaurant you were at last night. Had a conversation with the owner, Displo."

"That's it?"

"There was one other thing, but...I will ask again, and will ask later. Why do you want me to track this person?"

"I want to make sure something. That's all."

"Not a very satisfactory answer. I don't think I need to warn you again, you better not fall in with the wrong crowd again."

Tabi sighed. "I won't. They're just someone I met last night."

"Alright. I won't pry further right now. As for that lookup, your friend was indeed laid off the police force. Very unusual, they used some obscure law to terminate them. Their last case had been classified too. My professional opinion is that they angered someone. But that's just hearsay."

So you were the real deal, Tabi thought. "Is that it?"

"Yes. Now is there something you want to tell me?"

"....Thanks." Tabi said after a bit of silence.

"Good. Now I don't want to keep you from work. Goodbye."

"Hm." Tabi said and hung up before the other end could make some snarky comment about not saying bye. Satisfied, Tabi resumed his break.

One long nap later you felt more refreshed than before. The hangover was mostly gone and finally felt able to think straight again. There were still a few hours before the meeting so you decide to go for a grocery run. Before you could even get out the door you get a call. This time from Displo. You drop what you're doing and answer it.

His superiors must have gotten back to him, you think.

"Hello?"

"Ah, (Y/N), do you have a moment? Are you in someplace safe?" Displo asked. He seemed a little cheerier than usual.

"Yeah, I'm just home. So? Did you get a response?"

"I did. Come around tonight, same time as yesterday. We'll discuss...your employment. My superiors are quite interested."

"Do I need to bring anything specific?"

"No. Just yourself and the goat. Until then."

"Okay, thanks Displo. See you then." You hang up. You wonder exactly what he meant by employment but figured it was some double-speak to avoid potential listeners.

With that in mind you leave and continue about your day, eager to see what would happen tonight.

Track 05 - First Meeting


"I spoke to my superiors of your proposal."


With nothing left to do, you waste the day away before leaving for Displo's around supper time.

Finding yourself outside Displo's you step inside. You haven't heard anything from Tabi but with how distant he'd been you didn't expect him to just announce when he arrived.

There was a decent size crowd tonight, definitely busier tonight. There was a band present, not the same one as last night currently setting up their instruments. But despite everyone around you didn't see Tabi or Displo anywhere.

"Excuse me." Someone said. You turn to see a waiter approaching you. "You must be (Y/N), is that right?" She said.

"Uh, yeah, is Displo around?"

"Yep! Just this way." She said, motioning you to follow her. Displo must have been setting something up. The waiter leads you to the private rooms, past the booths to a door labeled "Party Room". She opens the door.

"Here you are." She says cheerily, opening the door. You thank her and step inside.

Inside you're met with a large room reserved for parties. It was like a miniature version of the restaurant, with its own kitchen entry, bar in the corner and table in the centre.

The decor was quite different, being stylized more like a lodge room with the green carpeted floor and decoratively carved wooden walls. A few amenities in the room looked out of place, likely having been brought in by staff. You notice a large computer with several monitors in one corner of the room. There was also a large wooden cabinet as well that looked more suited for a family room holding china.

In front of the computer stood a chair with a few beanbag chairs behind it, likely taken from a kids play area.

In the centre of the room was a large rectangular dinner table draped in a red cloth, chairs all along it. All the chairs were empty except one. Displo was sitting, waiting for you to arrive. He was looking right at you, his TV-screen blinking rapidly as he saw you enter. He was still in uniform though now wearing a red scarf. He sat cross-legged at the head of the table.

He rose up out of the chair, acknowledging your presence.

"Ah, (Y/N), glad you could make it tonight. Please, have a seat. Could I get you anything?" He asked.

"No, I'm good for now. Gonna, uh, take a break from booze."

"Suit yourself." Displo said, sitting back down.

You take a seat at the opposite edge of the table.

"You sure you don't want anything?"

"Uh, I guess just a glass of water." Displo nodded and got up to get one. He walked behind the bar and began pouring it.

"So, what did they say?" You decide to start.

"I would like to discuss with your acquaintance first so as to not repeat myself. I will say though, I was certainly not expecting this kind of response. I guess I misunderstood how far they were willing to go."

With the clinking of ice in the glass Displo brought over the water, placing it just down before returning to his seat. Looking at him, he seemed a little more fidgety than usual. Not to mention the scarf presence as well.

"So how was the lunch rush today?" You try to make small talk.

"...It was fine." Displo said uneasily. "So what's with the scarf?"

"It's my civilian scarf. It means I'm not on duty." Displo said, playing his hands as he leaned onto the table. While he was normally calm and composed he seemed a lot more uneasy.

"Are you..are you okay?" It looked as if he was hiding something.

"I..I am fine. Do not worry about my well being."

You had an idea. With Tabi still out of sight you decide to test something. You 'accidentally' knock the glass of water over. "Oops."

"Y-you!" Immediately you see Displo tense up in horror.

"Oh, could you uhh, fix that?" You ask. Even faster than he reacted he stood up, as calm as usual and goes over to the cabinet to retrieve a new table cloth. You give him some room as he fixes the table up, noticing how he's returned to his more relaxed composure.

"Do you want another glass?" Displo asked, the table cloth having been sufficiently replaced the old one stuffed into a wash bin. He seemed a little eager. As soon as he was satisfied he took his opposing seat, immediately going back to fidgeting. You had a rough idea of what was going on with him and wanted to test it further.

You 'accidentally push over one of the nearby chairs. As if relief washed over him, Displo got up and quickly fixed it, completing a once-over of all the chairs.

You were about to say something but Displo spoke up first.

"I know what you're doing. If you must know my prerogative, I have been ordered to not work until this meeting is completed. That's why I'm in my civilian clothes." You tilt your head slightly. Civilian clothes? You guess the scarf meant he was not a civilian, despite the uniform still very visible on him.

"Well, I don't mind if you want to clean up around while we wait." As if those were the magic words Displo's posture changed to more relaxed and he got up and began looking for something to do. "Thank you."

You guess it was something in his programming, compulsive even. He wasn't human or anthro after all. His conditioning was still different even if 'life-like'.

On cue you hear the door open. Inside came Tabi, staring down at the ground, face concealed by his hood and hat. Displo waved the waiter down before allowing her to leave. Tabi looked at the scene, waiting a good minute before removing his hood and putting his hat back down. He took a seat near you.

"Evening." You said.

"Mhmmph." Tabi mumbled. "What is he doing here?" He asked, meaning Displo.

"I asked him to. We're going to make this our base of operations."

Tabi looked at you incredulously. "Yes. Quite. Now that you are both here I can begin." Displo said.

"You told him?" Tabi said annoyingly. "What coul-"

"If you would please let me finish. I have been waiting here long enough. I want to get back to my patrons."

"Humph." Tabi said, crossing his arms. He glared at you, no doubt annoyed at your inclusion of Displo.

You just shrug.

"I spoke to my superiors of your proposal. They liked it quite a bit. Not only did they approve of it but they wish to help as well. Far more than I expecting, honestly." Displo fidgeting ceased, now no longer having to wait.

"First of all you and the 'team' will be granted to use this space as a base of operations. You'll also be given access to the menu. Not free of course, but you'll all be granted an employee's discount."

Tabi uncrossed his arms, listening a bit more. He liked the sound of cheap food. While it was a benefit an eyebrow still did raise at the sound that Displo had 'superiors'. He was curious now.

"Your superiors? Who do you answer to?"

"IRIS." You say to Tabi. "This whole place is a front."

"That's crude and procedural language. We do not see it that way. But I suppose, in your detective-mind you could call it that. Will that be a problem?"

Tabi leaned back. "IRIS huh? I guess it's not a problem." It looked as if he had something in mind to say but was fully expecting Displo to say some other faction.

"Good. Officially we're on a don't-ask-don't-tell basis. The higher-ups have no 'undeniable' knowledge of this. Officially, this is between us three and whomever is recruited next."

Displo turned to you. "As for you, we're prepared to hire you so as to not arouse suspicion. It's just a cover job but you will receive a small salary and some legal matters will be covered. With your consent you will be in charge of security at my establishment. Any objections?"

"Nope." You accepted your new job. "I'm hired."

"Good. It will still be an official job so you will have duties and responsibilities but I do not believe it will be an issue."

You nodded.

Displo turned to Tabi next. "I have a possible job for you as well but-"

"Pass. I already have a job. I don't need your charity." Tabi said gruffly.

"Very well. To be honest, I prefer it this way. I don't want to have to teach you how to wash a dish." Though he didn't sound as if he was trying to mock Tabi, he still took it that way, glaring at Displo.

"They have also ordered me permission to act as the liaison for the group. I will be assisting in what way I can. As an emissary and assist, management of the off-the-books usage of the companies resources. Of course, I am not a field agent in any way so my help will be limited. And in order to keep clean there will be a small limit to my involvement."

You were about to ask how that would work but Tabi beat you to it. "How do we know you guys won't fold the minute the cops show up? How can we even trust you?" You nod in agreement.

"Well, for one, the higher-ups don't know the specifics. Just that an 'external security team' has formed. There is plausible deniability and cover stories prepped in the event of police discovery. Secondly, I've by my hide on the line proposing and officially joining this. And thirdly, 'and I won't repeat this again', but IRIS has engaged in underhanded tactics before. We won't be the first 'security team' our organization has partnered with."

"What do you mean?" You ask. Was there another heist crew?

"Do you recall a concert the family put on a few months ago?" Displo said slyly. "I do wonder how exactly someone would have crashed it."

Tabi looked interested, as if remembering something. It did occur to you what he was talking about. The Family had some major concert months ago featuring androids and a huge rap battle. You didn't know the specifics but the whole thing was hacked and nearly every android or bot went rogue. Information was scarce but IRIS was pointed to as a possible suspect. Thinking on it that was the first time you'd heard of IRIS anyways.

"Hmm." You mutter.

"I suppose you don't find it odd either that no charges were laid as a result? It took much protest from the family to even open the investigation."

Though it didn't occur to you at the time, you do remember nobody actually being charged with anything.

"We know just whose palms to grease." Displo said smugly. "Don't think we can get you of all trouble though. You're on your own."

"I guess that's sorted out then." Tabi said. He pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. Before he could light it Displo spoke up.

"I maintain a strict no smoking policy. You will not smoke in here."

While he would have normally protested and had several different names to call Displo by Tabi decided to acquiesce. "Fine....ruchka." He put it away.

"Good. (Y/N), you're in charge. What is the plan for tonight?"

You had spent some time earlier just drafting up some ideas of what you needed. "We need people, diagrams and photos of the place and a strategy. First of all we need pictures, floor plans and stuff."

You pause, noticing something in the way you spoke.

"If we're gonna rob 'em we need to know the best points of entry, chokepoints, weak spots, etcetera. We don't even know where they stash their money currently." You pause again, feeling almost disassociated. You were sounding like a criminal and could hardly believe it. Tying it back to your detective days you conclude.

"I've done security before so I have a good idea of how to approach. J-just in reverse, I guess."

Tabi spoke up. "I've been there a few times. I know the area."

"You remember anything specific about the layout?"

Tabi closed his eyes, the fires in his eye sockets going out as he thought. "He had a vault in the centre of his mansion. But that's about all I can remember. It's accessible in the centre mansion."

You note that down. "Well, it's a start. Say, Displo, could you get us a floor plan?"

Displo merely shook his head. "Our network is not as exhaustive as you think. I'm afraid there's not much I can do there. I can try to research and see if I can find out what firm built it. Acquire intel."

"Sure. Please."

You turn to Tabi.

"Since you've been there, do you think you could go and get some photos of the place? Entrances, exits, break-in points and such? Tomorrow, probably during the day." You ask Tabi. You figured your brush with them was too recent. If you showed up, there would be hell to pay. Plus, as Tabi said, "you don't know the streets like I do."

"I'll do it tonight."

"You sure it'll be okay? I'm sure they have security. At least tomorrow there will be people-"

"No. It is better this way. I prefer working in the dark."

"Suit yourself. As for me I'm going to head to the police station. We had a criminal database. I'm gonna see if I can find any leads on possible candidates."

"If I may make a suggestion, (Y/N), what we need immediately is some sort of hacker and cyber security expert. Find someone to cover our tracks cybernetically."

"Alright. I'll keep that in mind. Do either of you know anyone that we can recruit?" You finish your water.

"There is no one that we can supply currently." said Displo.

"I'll need to think about it." said Tabi.

"That about settles it for tonight. We'll reconvene tomorrow night and be in touch. Tabi will get the recon photos, I'll find some candidates and Displo, you find out who built the place. Any questions?"

"None from me."

"Nyet. I'll get going now."

"Alright, good luck everyone." And with that you split for the night.

A party has formed!

Tabi and Displo have joined the party!


Track 06 - Nuisances

"Why'd you sneak up on me!?"


You leave the bar shortly after, get back in your car and make for the police station. It was a long-shot, especially after that kangaroo court but you hoped you at least still had some friends. While there were none you were seriously considering recruiting you were hoping someone would let you have access to the criminal database.

The night crew that ran the station after hours had always been slightly friendlier than the day people. Being out of sight by management had its perks and the night crew took advantage of that. A lot of the higher-ups saw working nights as a punishment while the day-officers were the ones that 'kept the city in check'. You never really cared so long as you got results, occasionally changing from days to nights.

The NCPD had an extensive program called the "Leaderboard" that contained tons of information on various criminals and the intel surrounding them. It was through that database that you were able to find unsolved cases and in turn find targets. And it would be through that database you would find potential allies. It was thoroughly kept, consistently having good results.

Ultimately you didn't care if they'd deny you. Worst case scenario they would just throw you out. You had a cover story anyways. You merely wanted to check for unsolved crimes as part of your new PI business. If anyone asked about your security detail you'd just say it was a temporary gig.

A tall brown-bricked building rose up indefinitely. It was also all quiet, the only sounds catching your ears were distant cars and the hum of the fluorescent lights. It was definitely old-school, an aesthetic the higher-ups refused to compromise. Like you had done so many times in the past you pull open that door and step in.

Almost immediately you were given some suspicious looks. None seemed too concerned at your presence, moreso the fact you were alive. You notice one of the people starring was none other than the chief, your former boss. He watched through his office window, getting up and entering the lobby. There was an expression of curiosity on his face. Whether it was positive or negative was unknown to you.

What was he doing here? At this hour nonetheless?

He walked up to you.

"Fancy seeing you here." The grizzled old-chief said. There was nothing discernable about his appearance. You think at one time you'd have described him as a good leader but those time were long gone.

"You too, since when do you work nights?"

"Since a few weeks ago." He said coldly. Clearly your 'suspension' wasn't the only change that had occurred. "I think I left something here. Could we talk?"

"My office. Come." He said. You couldn't read him.

You find yourself in the chief's office, blinds down alone with him.

He was an older man, face weathered from having to face crime. He always had a stoic look on his face. You admired him at one point, though not anymore. Looking at him again you just saw betrayal and all the negative aspects of him amplified.

You thought of him as the strong-silent type who was like a father to the department. Looking at him now, he was just another cop, silent only in the face of injustice, content to let a corrupt system run.

He'd always been an 'old-school' kind of guy, enjoying whiskey and cigars while dressing like a reporter from the 20s. The same blue/white striped dress shirt, coloured tie and dress pants. Like you'd seen him a lot before, he had a cigar, though it wasn't lit.

You take a seat.

You were expecting him to start chewing you out any second now. Want a drink?" The chief asked.

"No thanks. I'll be driving later."

"Ehn. Suit yourself." The chief said, reaching down into his desk. He pulled out an empty glass and a near-empty bottle of rye. Pouring the amber-coloured drink into the glass he sighed.

"It's a damn shame it came to this (Y/N). How's the job hunt been?"

You found yourself a little disgusted with the chief now, seeing him for what he truly was. You try your best to ignore it.

"I'm thinking of becoming a PI, doing what I did here, just privately."

"That's good work. Lotta money there. You aren't still trying to go after our 'friends' are you?" He took a small sip. The way he enunciated friends was annoying. As if that 'friendship' was two-ways.

"No sir. More, of, uh, what I was doing before, unsolved cases and all that."

"Ah, well there's no shortage of them out there. Sorry for what happened to you."

"It's fine."

The chief took a break from drinking, re-arranging some papers scattered on the desk. "I did you a favour you know. If you'd have seen what they originally had in mind...wew..let's just say you got the good end."

"Right." You figure they were just planning on having you killed but after seeing Tabi you weren't sure anymore.

They were a cruel bunch. You clear your throat, hoping to indicate you weren't interested in discussing the family.

"About my work, is it possible to get access to Leaderboard? I want to pull some cases from it."

"What kind of cases?" The chief raised an eyebrow.

"Unsolved ones, criminals at large, that stuff. I need to get started somewhere."

"Ah, most wanted. Sure. You're desk and computer should still be there. Your login should still work too. Nobody has touched it."

"Thanks. I'll go do that right now." You begin to get up.

"One other thing." The chief said, stopping you. He had since finished his glass of rye.

"IT will be monitoring your searches. We just want to make sure you really aren't barking up that tree. You know?"

"Understood sir." You leave the office. Before you get out the door you turn back and say "Thanks for sticking up for me the other day. I appreciate it. It won't happen again."

The chief just smiled back, understanding you knew your place. "Best of luck (Y/N). Again, if you need anything realistic, don't hesitate to call. You got talent."

You leave the office and go to your old desk. It occurs to you that if you proceed down this road you'd need to inevitably face the chief again. You had only one thought regarding that. Take him down if he interferes.

While you weren't a fan of the chief anymore, you were at least grateful he had your back.

That anger still remained, quietly burning. "When the time comes, you better not miss." You just hope that personal feelings and misplaced loyalty won't get in the way. He did hand you over in the first place.

You get a few odd looks from the other cops as you take a seat at your old desk. Mostly from confusion, many having figured you quit. Some were staring with malice, glad you had gotten that treatment. You just glared back, happy you knew the truth now and a fury for your revenge.

Regardless, none of those faces wanted any confrontation. Especially not here.

After a few minutes, Leaderboard opens. You decide to start searching for cybercrime suspects, sorting by most recent. As it begun its search you begin to think what other sorts of people you'd need. Without the floor plan you decide to make guesses as to what you'd need.

Before you get ahead of yourself you remember what Displo said. We need a cybersec person. The board finishes loading.

You start scrolling through. Being cyber criminals very little information was known about any of the people, especially faces. There was no indication any of these people were even in the city. You start to realize that if you're going to get a hacker it would have to have been someone scorned by the Family. You try to recall the people you met during the investigation but can't recall anyone other than Displo with a noticeable tech presence.

As you scroll through a few pages you eventually find someone with a possible location in the city.

Alias: DOXX13

Real Name: [withheld by order of the minors act]

Accused Of:

- Online Extortion

- Exfiltration of Information

- Online Harassment

- Home Invasion*

Status: At Large / Location Unknown

There was a bit more information as well but nothing that stood out. You check the home invasion claim. Apparently this person had broken into someone's home and forced them to rap battle. Due to the age of the accused no further information was given. You decide not to print it out, hesitant that adding a child to the crew would cause too many problems. You continue scrolling.

You find a potential candidate called Arch, only to find he had been imprisoned on a laundry list of charges and wasn't getting out ever. Another one comes up.

Alias: monika.chr

Real Name: Monika [last name withheld]

Accused Of:

- Stalking

- Hacking

- Identify Theft

- E-mail / Social Media Fraud

- Banking Fraud

- Spyware Distribution

- Attempted Murder

- Several Counts of Manslaughter

Status: At Large / Potentially Deceased

Last Known Location: Doki High School

You decide to skip that page too. She seemed way too crazy for a team-up. Skimming through several more pages you decide to give up on that search. You weren't a specialist in cybercrime but slowly come to realize that the only way to find someone like this would be on the dark web. You decide you can do that tomorrow.

Curiosity pending you do a search for any gangs, circles and at-large groups. An already organized group could be beneficial for the team, if you could convince them to do the heavy lifting.


Though that thought vanishes quickly. You had arrested at least one of each member once in time. There was zero chance they'd help, if they didn't try to take you out at the same time.

One new group piques your interest, an anthro gang called the 'Seven Deadly Sins'. New enough that you hadn't arrested any of them and there wasn't any apparent connection to the Family.


Unfortunately info was scarce on them, most of the member's profiles just being silhouettes.

The only person who had info was their leader, known only by the initial of R.S. And he had reportedly gone missing in Manhattan.

It also listed their case as being handled by 'external forces' which in lingo meant some other police force had taken the case. Probably NYPD, you think.

You check for another thing you know you'll need. A demolitionist. While scrolling you find two profiles next to each other that catch your eyes. One was for some 'bomb-headed individual', reported as missing months ago, the case also being handled by a third party. "By extreme request this case will be handled by TGG." You weren't familiar with that group.


The second one was...Tabi?

You print off the first page, briefly skimming it. He was a vagabond who potentially detonated several bombs during a concert. He was still at large as a 'suspect'. Due to his rapid disappearance they couldn't determine if it was him.

You read more into his profile.

The investigators noted there was little information on him prior to the bombing. They stated "Tabi may not be his real name. He shares the name of a C-level celebrity musician who went missing a year ago. Though evidence is scarce we believe him to be responsible for the disappearance of that musician". You knew better. They were the same person, the investigators were just too thick to figure that out.

An additional investigator had theorized that Tabi was behind the bombing of some restaurant. No arrests were made and witnesses were uncooperative. The bomb wrecked the restaurant as indicated by the pictures. Only a few frames from a security camera actually picked up what could be Tabi.

As you stared at it, you noticed something. He was facing two people. Though blurry you determine it had to be...Girlfriend? You tried to remember from the one photo you had during the investigation. It had to be her right? You guess the kid beside him must have been her current boyfriend.

You had never investigated the daughter, known only as "Girlfriend" but judge that was them facing off.

You quickly close the photo and print off Tabi's profile. If you were caught looking at that you figure you'd be in a tonne of trouble. Thinking back to what Tabi said last night that had to have been the last time he encountered them.

That would explain what Displo meant when he referred to "Tabi's firestorm".

Wait, was that his plan?! It occurs to you when he said his plan went south, his plan had to have been to kill them all blowing up the place. The reality finally setting in, you understand a bit of who you were working with. A possible terrorist.

You grab the files you printed and leave. He seemed like a nice guy, but to go to that length, if it was his bomb...You had some thinking to do.

Elsewhere in the city Tabi was on a quest of his own. His nose twitched. Someone was thinking about him. It was a premonition he believed whole-heartedly.

Brisk was the night.

Most of the shops had closed for the day further dimming the street. Most of the light present were that of the street lights, shining from above. Tabi walked quickly, staying out of their glow. He didn't need a map or anything. He knew new exactly where he was going.

He cursed himself for not having ordered something at Displo's. He'd only had a small lunch today and his stomach was in pain. He shrugged it off, only annoyed because his stomach was making noise. At least his hoodie and scarf were keeping him warm. He wanted a smoke but knew there was little time to idle.

This part of the town was silent, the only thing he could hear was his breathing, the quiet rustling in the wind and the sound of his steps.

He was moving fast, not trying to be conspicuous. He knew of the danger of getting too close, positive the Family had some sort of lookout. He just wanted to get in the neighborhood.

Tabi took note. Still quiet out, just his steps, a quiet rustling and...another set of steps. Tabi looked around. Nobody on the block except him. He knew better than that. He was being followed. He quickly pulled out his phone, setting it to silent.

It was time to be quiet.

He ducked into an alley, listening closely to anything. Whoever it was had stopped. Where could he have been spotted? And how long had he been followed? Paranoia had him entirely. There was no guess that it was just another pedestrian. That's when he heard it again. There was someone nearby.

There was no telling what kind of person was around, if it was a coincidence or not, if it was an enemy or not. Figuring it would be best to get away he jumped upon a trash can and jumped to the buildings fire escape. He started climbing up, hoping to reach the roof.

It was easy and with a flip he made it to the top, overlooking the empty street. It was brighter up here, clear skies ensuring the moonlight lit the rooftops.

Whoever it was that was nearby was gone. At least for now. Tabi looked around. He had no issue jumping from building to building, though would have preferred to eat something beforehand. He reached into his hoodie pocket, pulling out a few multi-vitamins.

He had found an unopened bottle a few days ago and it had been keeping him alive. Chucking them down his throat he continued making his way towards the compound.

A few buildings later he detected more footsteps. Whoever it was earlier was still pursuing him. He decided fleeing wouldn't work. Whoever this was could only be stopped with confrontation. He decided not to look back, knowing if they thought they had the upper hand it would make them confident.

While still maneuvering from building to building he saw an opening. Ducking behind a rooftop door so as to stay out of sight. He pulled out a hunting knife slowly, waiting to hear the person approach.

And sure enough whoever it was, landed just at the edge of the building. They were keeping quiet but Tabi could hear them approach. He could just barely see the silhouette getting closer. They looked...familiar? Just before they could peer around the corner Tabi rose up and forced them against the wall, holding the knife to their throat.

"Easy man, easy!" The person said panicking. The stalker rose their hands up. Now seeing who it was Tabi put the knife down.

"Damn man. What the hell?" The stalker said. He touched his throat lightly. Though there wasn't a scratch, it had been close.

"Why'd you sneak up on me!?" Tabi demanded. He put the knife away and crossed his arms in anger. It was none other than his so-called 'best-friend'.

A nuisance that called himself Agoti.

Like Tabi he was wearing a hoodie, hood up to conceal his identity. His face was all black, a toothy grin of sharp teeth covering the bottom of his face. His eyes were hollow and glowing white, but slanted in an excited way.

He wore a black and red hoodie with white stripes along the arms with white stomach pockets. To match with his aesthetic Agoti had on black jeans and black and red sneakers with white soles. He had two chains on either side of belt, an addition Agoti had preferred.

Though concealed behind the hood Tabi knew there to be tendrils that extended from his face. Just his face was covered in an inky blackness and neck down he appeared human. Though, unlike Tabi, he always looked like that. Even since they were young. He called himself a digidevil, a species of humanoid Tabi wasn't that familiar with.

"Well I tried calling you but you must have your phone on silent or something. Geez man. You need to relax." Agoti said rubbing his throat.

"Humph." Tabi checked his phone. There were a few messages and a missed call. "Sorry."

"Told you. Where' you running off to anyways?"

"I have something to do. Leave me alone." Tabi said coldly. He turned and got ready to depart. Before he could make his exit, his stomach rumbled.

"You skipped dinner didn't you?" Agoti said smugly.

"Why do you care?"

"Well, I just so happened to bring a sandwich. Be a shame if it went to waste." Agoti said, pulling a plastic bag out of his red hoodie.

He had come prepared. "Fine." Tabi turned back. He was about to reach for the bag but Agoti quickly raised it above Tabi's head.

"Uh-uh. You gotta tell me what's going on first. Why'd you duck me last night?"

"I had other things to do."

"Aren't you gonna ask what happened?"

"No."

"We had a good time, the four of us."

"I don't care."

Agoti stepped back. He had to double take if he was hearing right. "Oh man, now I know something is up." His grin somehow got wider. "You NEVER pass on an opportunity of a sighting." Agoti's grin became smaller. "You aren't...sick are you?" He continued to hold the sandwich just out of Tabi's reach.

He was getting fed up with it now.

"If you're not gonna give me the sandwich then we're done here. I have things to do." Tabi said before turning and running off. He jumped to the next building.

He jumped with little care from building to building. He recalled those first nights he found he was more durable. That simple things and few story falls wouldn't do that much damage. Whatever they had done to him had made him more durable. He no longer had a problem jumping from such heights. He'd even became good at it, having to parkour away from the Family's goons.

Agoti put the sandwich away, finding Tabi's actions to be most perplexing. It was unusual. While it may have concerned close friends, it only made Agoti more curious as to what was going on. He jumped after Tabi, landing on the building behind him. Being a digidevil he had no problem doing such dangerous jumps.

Though minor he had also started to worry about the direction his friend was going in.

"If you aren't gonna tell me what's goin' on imma keep following you." Agoti said before Tabi could make another leap. It was enough to make him stop.

Tabi thought about it. Agoti would be relentless. He at least at to tell him something to get off his back. Not to mention Agoti would blow his cover. That sandwich, no matter how lame it was, was stuck in his head too. He needed to eat.

Still facing off the building, Tabi said. "Fine. If I tell you, will you get off my back?"

Agoti, having caught up to Tabi said smiling. "Sure. I'll even throw in a sandwich as a bonus."

Tabi took a seat on the edge of the building. All this running on an empty stomach was tiring him out. Agoti chose to sit beside him, his legs dangling off the edge too.

Despite it being the dead of night, the moon was lighting up everything. It had become colder, their breaths becoming visible. The moon, whether on purpose or not had bathed everything in a faint blue, even skyscrapers in the distance.

"I met someone last night."

"Oh, congrats man!" Agoti said happily. He patted Tabi on the back lightly. Tabi just growled in response. "It's not like that. We're working together on something. I...it's more important than that girl right now."


"Really? I gotta meet this person. They managed to wow even you?"

"I already said it's not like that." Tabi said, more sternly this time.

"Now. Give me the sandwich."

"You got it chief. Turkey on whole wheat and a good helping of mayo and mustard. Bit cold now." He handed Tabi the bag. The sandwich was a little squished now but Tabi didn't complain. He tore open the bag and started eating it, pieces of it disappearing into his invisible throat.

He wanted to start smoking but knew he couldn't. Agoti always complained.

"So what's the plan now? Off to meet them? What are they like? What's their name?"

"I already met them tonight. And no, you don't need to know who they are yet."

"Ah, well you'll have to introduce me sooner or later. So what're you doing now?"

"Jumping from building to building running from a chuvak."

"Yeah but where are you going? I know you're place isn't this way."

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?" Agoti asked.

"It's none of your business. I've told you what happened. Are you satisfied now?"

"Not really. For one, where you going this late?"

"I grow tired of this."

"C'mon, we're friends. I won't tell anyone. You know me."

Tabi sighed.

"Friends stick up for each other. Plus, you and I both know what's in this direction." Agoti said with encouragement.

Tabi looked at Agoti, his eyes burning yellow as they always did. Agoti just had wide eyes and a large smile. It looked more mischievous than innocent.

"Will you leave me alone if I tell you?"

"Sure!" Agoti smiled back. Tabi didn't believe him but just to get him off his back he said.

"I'm going over there to take pictures."

"That's it? You sure you aren't charging there? No gung-ho? No kamikaze?"

Tabi got up, getting ready to continue on.

"Woah, woah man. Just a second."

"No. I just need photos."

Agoti became slightly concerned. He got up as well.

"How do you know it's not a setup?" Agoti said quickly, before Tabi could leap to the next building.

He stopped. "It's not. I had Sol track them. Former cop."

"Right. Sol mentioned that you were tracking some random person. At least let me tag along. You know how dangerous that place can be."

"No. I don't want Sol to get angry if something happens."

"Too bad. I'm coming along even if you don't want me."

"Argh. Fine. Let's go. I have work in the morning." Tabi said, finally relenting and jumping to the next building.

Happy at the outcome, Agoti followed, leaping after him.

Still feeling left in the dark Agoti continued to pester Tabi. "So what do you need these photos for anyways?"

"Stop asking questions."

"C'mon you now I can't do that. Is this mysterious person a painter? An artist?"

Tabi merely sighed in annoyance. He wished he could've just been alone now. At least his stomach wasn't growling anymore.

"C'mon man, you've already told me so much, you might as well tell me the full plan."

While trying to think of some response to shut the digidevil up, Tabi fumbled the jump. He quickly did a roll to catch his footing, landing on the next building uncomfortably. This wasn't going to work. Just before Agoti could make some snarky remark Tabi spoke up first.

"Alright fine. If I tell you will you finally stop bugging me?"

"You know it bro!"

Tabi glared at Agoti. "You tell no one of this. Not Sol, not a soul. You got it?"

"You got it bro!"

Tabi looked around, makin' sure nobody was around. Just like the rest of the town, it was dead silent aside from the wind. He tried to rationalize his actions that since you told Displo everything, it would be even to tell Agoti.

Tabi tried his best to summarize the events of today and last night, the first meeting, the crew's formation, the heist idea, that you were different, how he got Sol to tap your conversation with the chief, Displo and you're investigation. After explaining everything Tabi hoped that Agoti would finally get off his back.

Merely seconds after explaining the plan, Agoti's smile grew even wider, eyes showing an extreme interest. He had one thing to say.

"I want in."

Tabi sighed again, he saw this coming from a mile away.

"No. Sol will kill me and then kill you."

"Ah, don't worry about dad. He won't know."

"Uh-uh. Sol has ways of finding out. I don't want to be blamed when you inevitably blow your cover."

"Hey, that's not fair. I'm not the one blowing up buildings and stealing from shops. It's you he's suspicious of, thanks to all the crap you've done."

"He doesn't like me. You know he'll spy on me."

"Hey c'mon, he loves you. Hell, today he praised you, said he was glad you're keeping up at the job. I even told him that you went to bed early last night even after I stayed up. He just wants you to do better."

"More like institutionalize me."

"Ah, you're over-exaggerating it. Plus you'll need someone with my speed anyways."

Tabi thought about it. Having Agoti on the team would be beneficial. There was zero chance he'd flip. Not to mention he had his own run-ins with the family in the past. Tabi decided he'd ask you and worst case you'd decline Agoti joining. At least then Agoti couldn't force his way in.

"Alright fine. I'll ask (Y/N)."

"Ooh, is that the mysterious stranger's name? Never heard of 'em."

"Can we go now?"

"Way ahead of you bro." Agoti said gleefully, running off.

Finally reaching the compound the two friends stood atop the building overlooking the Dearest Compound.

He hadn't been here since that fateful day. It brought back bad memories. He had tried charging in once before, only to get thrown out by security. It was only then he begun to stalk the town for those villains.

There were definitely security around. Cameras, goons, guards, dogs and demons could all be seen. It didn't look like they had anything trained on the rooftops, it seemed a blindspot.

"Yo, after this you wanna come to my place for the nigh? It's closer than you're 'burrow'."

"So your dad can interrogate me? No thanks."

"He's out for the night. Plus it'll look good in his eyes. You know you're allowed to stay over whenever right? And I got this new track i'm workin-"

"Argh, fine. Let's just get this done."

With Agoti in on the plan the two buddies had an idea of what to get pictures of. Entrances, guards, basically any intel they could find got a picture taken.

A hour later, the two had enough intel. They still had no idea how to get in, but this was a start.

Track 07 - Digidevil


"And now I want in."


You had a lot to think about after the revelation you had last night. The exact thought hadn't occurred to you that you would need to work alongside criminals and shady characters.


You found hope in that the page for Tabi's bombing didn't list any hospitalizations or deaths and your brief foray into IRIS didn't reveal anything too damning. However Tabi no doubt had blood lust and it was likely IRIS had some skeletons.


In the end you went to bed full of uncertainty, questioning if this path was truly the one you wanted to venture on.


Come the morning the answer came quick.


What you thought should have been moral dilemma was solved pretty easily. You were enjoying yourself and this whole 'crew'. Even if it was still in its infancy you couldn't come up with a good reason to not work with them. And after what the forces that be had done to you and what they had planned to do to you there was little reason to stop now. It wasn't like the cops were squeaky clean either.


You spent the morning reading through the various papers trying to find suitable candidates and exercising. If you were going to pull off something like this you wanted to be in good physical condition.


Across the city, Tabi had awoken feeling refreshed. He had taken up Agoti's offer and stayed in the guest room. His dad had told him plenty of times before "it is your room" but Tabi refused.


He had tried to get up earlier so as to avoid having to chitchat with Agoti, hoping the digidevil had forgotten about his request to join.


No sooner had he tip-toed out of the guest room was Agoti waiting for him at the table, smile as wide as ever.


"So. When's the meetup?"


He was wrong. Agoti was eager to get started. Begrudgingly he told Agoti the meetup location and time.


You received a message from Tabi mid-morning that he had the pictures and would be present tonight. Shortly after you got a call from Displo asking if you could come in. He mentioned that even though it was a 'job' that it would look good if you could still come in. He mentioned having some problem with some people outside the store. With nothing to do for the day you decide to help out and actually begin your new 'job'.


You didn't mind. It helped take your mind off other things. Plus you felt you were getting a little stir-crazy just being at home. You'd done security before. It wasn't that hard.


The addition of free food was also enticing. You figured it would be best to just make it an official job, that way it would be easier to avoid suspicion. Displo agreed too but noted your salary wouldn't be as great as your detective work.


It didn't matter. A big pay-day was coming soon..


The day flew by rather uneventfully. Guarding was a simple job. You ended up just reading for most of the day, not really having to discipline anyone you couldn't handle. Having worked a full day you finally find yourself in the meeting room.


Displo was outside, making sure the servers knew what to do during his absence. Even though you didn't expect the meeting to go that long he wanted them prepared for anything. You check your phone. Tabi should be arriving soon.


You pool over the papers you got from work. You still had Tabi's profile, deciding to keep it to show what was 'officially' known about him. It could help him out. But while you had a laundry list of various violent criminals and disgruntled cyber-thieves nobody really stood out.


You hear the door open. It was Displo, putting on his 'civilian' scarf.


"They aren't here yet?" Displo asked.


"Nope."


"How unfortunate. Is there anything you'd like?" Displo asked, already starting to get antsy.


You weren't feeling particularly peckish but there was something you were curious about. You point to the computer in the corner. "So what's the deal with that?"


"Ah. That is TURINGS-04. The Unifying Random Integral Network Gearing System. I presume you've heard of it?"


"Huh?"


"To plainly put, it is a supercomputer. It should be able to help us simulate events and outcomes."


"That's cool."


"Have you ever heard of the LTS? The police ought to know of it."


"LTS? Long-term support?"


"No. The Little Thief System."


"Can't say I have. I never really dealt with the more 'technological side'."


"Well this system is basically a successor to the Little Thief System, pioneered by the Yatagarasu." It was just more words you weren't aware of.


"So how does it work?" You go over to the machine. The main unit's design was futuristic, reminiscent of the designs of H.R. Geiger. It sat attached to the top of the standing desk, several monitors connected to it. A massive keyboard covered the desk containing keys and all sorts of switches. It looked a bit like the Bat-computer you had seen in comics. Despite the appearance the desk was on wheels and could be moved around. You felt compelled to try it. The whole thing was the colour of a deep teal, and it almost looked translucent.


"Can I try?"


"I would rather show it off once everyone arrives."


"You'd rather wait here and do nothing till then?"


Displo paused as he computed the scenario.


"I'd rather not actually. Here." Displo got up and joined you at the terminal.


With the press of a button all the monitors and lights within the machine lit up. Just as it was booting up you and Displo hear a bit of commotion by the door. Something about unauthorized personal, it sounded like one of the waiters was trying to stop someone from entering.


Displo moves first as the door opens. Through the door bursts Tabi, some guy you haven't seen before and the waiter. They all tumble in, landing on the carpeted floor. In the spill a satchel opens up dumping photos all over the ground.


The waiter got up first, exasperated. "S-sir. I tried to stop them but they forced their way in."


You were less concerned about the waiter than you were of the person that was currently atop Tabi, practically pinning the goat man, hands on his shoulders. The new person got up first.


"Wow. Didn't know you liked me this way, Tab." He said looking down. Tabi pushed the guy off. "Get off me you knucklehead!" He got up, dusting himself off.


"What is the meaning of this?" Displo demanded. He looked ready to attack the new person. While the new guy seemed innocent enough something about him looked familiar. Assuming the worst you draw your gun and aim at him. You keep the safety on, no intention of opening fire.


He sticks his hands up and the waiter shrieks. "Whoa! Easy. I'm just a friend! R-right Tabi?" The new guy starts frantically saying, shaking his arms to say 'no'.


Tabi, having become amused doesn't say anything immediately, looking on with a grin at the scene.


"T-tabi?" He turns to Tabi, a look of worry on his face.


"Yeah, he's fine." Tabi finally says after an uncomfortably long time. You quickly stash your gun, picking up on Tabi's mischievous attitude.


Displo goes to console the waiter, taking her out of the room.


On the way out you hear him say something about you being security. He shoots you some sort of look but you couldn't tell if it was anger or not.


"I am truly sorry Jaiden." He says to her as they go out.


"Well, aren't you gonna introduce me to your friends?" The guy asked.


As if the situation wasn't any more tense a loud sound emits from the table, it starting to glow blue. A little jingle plays as a hologram appears on the table showing a cityscape. You have to resist nearly drawing the gun again. It does, however cause the three of you to jump.


"Woah, what's that?" The new person said.


You shoot Tabi a look of "start talking."


"This is Agoti. He's a...friend." Agoti looks to him disapprovingly. He said that friend part too slow!


"A friend."


"I'm his best friend actually." Agoti said, smile ever-present. Tabi just looked annoyed him.


"Right. And you're here for..?" You ask. Based on Tabi's reactions you still couldn't tell if he was supposed to be a 'friend' or just someone who tagged along.


"I want in. I wanna rob some people. Do some heists like in GTA." He said gleefully.


You look to Tabi who tries his best to mouth to you "no".


"You wanna start explaining?" You finally ask Tabi.


Tabi sighs and give you a summary of what happened last night. Displo arrives part way through and helps him pick up the photos.


You learn that Agoti is a friend of Tabi's and also an enemy of the Family. He was a musician who was considered too "powerful" and was kidnapped and banished to the void by the family. He spent a year there, though he said it felt longer. He stayed there until he was freed. Exactly how he didn't get into details, just that he still has nightmares of it. You put two and two together and recall he was a potential person of interest in the case, though you never got around to interviewing him. At least that clears that up.


No missing persons report had been filed though if it did, it would have been suppressed by the cops.


"And now I want in." Agoti concluded.


"Hold on. I still have some questions." You look at Tabi who has been collecting all the photos spilled onto the ground. "Can he be trusted?"


"Wa? C'mon. I want them dead as much as you." Agoti said.


"He can. But if anything happens that's on him." He said, shooting an annoying look at Agoti. He just shrugged and keeps on smiling wickedly.


"What are you anyways? Were you always like that?" You note that he was similar to Tabi, humanoid...but strange. It was a guess. His hands and neck appeared to be human.


"Yep! Always though. I'm what you might call a digidevil, or screen demon, depends on where you're from." You'd never heard of that species but he seemed to be taking his appearance a lot more upbeat than Tabi did.


"You aren't a hacker by any chance?"


"Nope. I can eat metal though, process it. S'how I got this voice."


"Interesting." Displo said. "But I don't think that can help in the


operation."


"Well what can you do anyways?" You ask.


"I can run fast, jump from crazy heights...super strong to. My tentacles, can lift like ants." Agoti said, beaming with smugness. He played with his tendrils a bit where his hair was. "OH. I can also spit oil from my stomach."


"Please don't." Displo said, flinching at the suggestion. Tabi had gotten up, the photos stashed back in his satchel. He would have placed them on the table, but the hologram had gone into some sort of 'idle mode', the cityscape turning into some ballerina light show.


Agoti continued. "Well with Tab's pyrotechnics we can easily burn stuff down-"


"Unless you get burned." Tabi butted in.


"W-well yeah. I'm not fireproof."


"Not to mention you can't swim or be near water."


"Hey c'mon man, I'm starting to think you don't want me in." Agoti protested, shooting a look of betrayal at Tabi.


"Hmph."


You thought on it. He had the history, seemed trustworthy enough. The only opposition you'd seen is that Tabi either didn't like the guy or it was just friendly banter. They acted like brothers. He didn't seem like a rat, maybe a bit naive. His whole trauma didn't seem to swallow him like it did Tabi. You decide there's no harm in letting him in. The fire ability or 'processing electronics' could help too. Plus, Tabi did seem a little more laid back today.


"So what do you think? Can I join?"


"I'm not totally against it. Displo?"


"No objections here. As long as he isn't a ruffian like our friend we should be fine."


"Alright. I'll leave the call to you, Tabi. He's your friend."


"Why?" Tabi took a step back, like he wasn't expecting to be burdened with the choice.


Agoti put his hands together and stared at Tabi with large pleading eyes.


"Well you know him better than us."


"Awww, c'mon Tabs, you know you need my help."


"Argh fine! You better not get in the way." He blurted out, peer pressure getting to him.


"Ah, thanks man!" Immediately Agoti pulled Tabi into a hug. Tabi froze, unsure if to force the guy off him or not.


"Yeah, yeah. Now get off of me." Tabi said, still not moving. After a few seconds Agoti let go of him.


"Now that, that is out of the way, can we get to business?" Tabi said. "What is all this?"


"This is a TURINGS-04. I presume you've heard of it?" Displo said.


"Nope." Tabi said.


"Nada." Agoti said.


"The latest from IRIS?" Displo said, a little higher.


Both men just shook their heads causing Displo to sigh.


"This wouldn't have happened if they accepted my proposal in advertising. Why do I even try? It's a supercomputer. It will help us plan out this heist. We can feed it data. Give me those photos."


Tabi handed Displo the pictures. Displo walked over to the computer and started feeding them through a scanner. The table sprang back to life, re-displaying the cityscape.


"Oh, yeah." You point to the folders on the desk. "I looked through the police database but I couldn't find many good candidates. I don't think we're gonna have much luck finding a hacker there, or really anyone until we have the simulation down." You pull out Tabi's file.


"Here. I found your entry in the database case you want to read it."


"What is there to even see? Serial bomber? Terrorist?" Displo said snarkily while on the computer.


"IT WAS ONE TIME." Tabi shouted at Displo. "Give me that." Tabi said before snatching the folder. He started looking through it, Agoti peering over his shoulder.


"Hey, I remember that. That's when I crashed dad's car right outside the joint. Good times."


"Shutup." Tabi muttered. "Interesting."


You put the other documents on the table, allowing the pair to see them. The hologram on the table was lighting up creating a specific city scape. It was slowly generating buildings in a crude, low-poly format.


"Here we are. I am proud to say these are decent shots. Well good enough to create the simulation anyways." Displo got up from the computer and took a seat at the end of the table. " If you would all take a seat, please."


You, Tabi and Agoti all took seats at the table, the cityscape having finished rendering. You plop the rest of the portfolios on a non-hologram part of the table. There would be time to go through them later.


"Based on the photos we now have a rudimentary design of the area. Some parts of the design will appear a bit hazy as the computer does not know what needs to go there. Other parts such as over here will appear blurry because the computer is guessing what should be here."


"There weren't many vantage points around to take photos from." Tabi said.


"Yes, I believe that to be intentional. There is a reason this part of the city is called The Compound."


The neighbourhood that the Family resided in was known colloquially as The Compound. At the time of the investigation you didn't really look at it, preferring to instead document real crimes. You only vaguely knew of the spot.


The closest you had ever gotten to it was a co-worker suggesting you bug the place. Recalling that mentally jot down the idea.


Displo began explaining the basic design of the compound as you three listened attentively.


The compound was located in the north-western part of the city, a good drives distance away from the bar and any semblance of friendly territory. To make matters worse the place was mostly surrounded by parks, forests and hills, all part and parcel to increase the privacy. All private property.


To the direct north stood an inlet, overlooking a small bay. Though a beach was present at the bottom of the inlet, a massive cliff separated it from the compound. It made approach from the north-heading-south impossible.

To make matters more damning, within the parks were several guard posts and surveillance towers. Though not present in the simulation, Tabi swore they existed, to which Displo added into the simulation.


Around that perimeter were shops and small buildings, one specific one where Tabi had gotten his photos from.


The area of the city was slightly newer than the rest and more suburban. The tallest building nearby was the Bandelin Bank, which was where some of the photos were taken.


"I guess that counts out a sniper." Agoti said as he looked around the hologram.


With nothing but small businesses to the west and south and suburbs to the north and east the place was well situated. There definitely wasn't anyone around that could be construed as hostile to the Family. Aside from the bank due south, there was a prison due east called the Fulp Prison, but with how the police were in bed with them you didn't think it to be friendly territory anyways.


Based on the photos the actual 'compound' consisted of 6 buildings, a few of which actually two buildings built extremely close together. There were 9 buildings in total.


The buildings were each numbered 1-9 as it was not known what they contained. You knew for a fact that the building in the centre, a rather spooky looking mansion has to be their manor. That was assigned as building 1.


"I'm gonna presume 1 is their house."


"Yes....2 and 3 are their recording studio and 'the hangar'. It's where they record most of their music videos." Tabi said. That was a building due south of the manor. It provided cover in case of a direct frontal attack.


Looking at it now it appeared as if it was designed to have the manor surrounded by other buildings.


As Tabi watched the render it gave him weird feelings but he didn't let it bother him. "4 was a garage and parking lots. They had their own transport system, those aren't real streets."


You knew the Family to be rich, but you have their own transport? It was looking harder and harder to get in. It was appearing less like a wealthy manor and more like an entire village you needed to break in. The task was daunting.


"I don't know what the rest are. I never went there."


"Geez. This place is locked down more than Knox." Agoti said.


"It is." Tabi said.


"Where do we even start?" Agoti said, confused. The realization this would be harder than he thought set in.


"You two don't know anything of the interior, where they keep their money, etcetera?" You ask.


"I've never been there. Well. I think I was there when they trapped me but I can't recall." Agoti said. He didn't remember much of his exact capture. He preferred to keep it that way.


"They keep their money in a vault in the centre of manor. It's in the basement. Girlfriend told me...back then."


"You don't remember anything else, Tabi?"


"Nothing that would help."


Holding some sort of tablet, you notice Displo jot some thing down and a dollar sign and vague outline of the vault form underneath the manor.


"I put in a request to the bureau of landmarks but the name of the firm and architect have been scrubbed from their databases. The only way we would be able to find out is to break into their records shop and steal it. However I strongly disagree with that. I'd rather not bring the government into this." Displo said.


"What if we just ran in guns blazing?" Agoti suggested. Tabi looked at you, nodding slightly. He was in agreement.


You shake your head. "No. We'd be fighting a whole army. If we're going to do this it needs to be covert. We can't start a war."


"I also object to such a proposal." Displo agreed.


"Fine. But we're gonna need more people than this." Tabi said.


"I'm afraid that without some sort of hacker we won't be able to get more intel. I've been looking myself and there aren't any takers internally at IRIS. We don't hire a lot of gung-ho people." Displo paused as he looked at the hologram. "It will be either that or someone who can gather more intimate intel. I.e., someone without a history with the Family. Were you able to find anything, (Y/N)?"


"Not really." Displo puts the hologram away and brightens the lights. You put forth the folders.


"I found a few people but their either completely unknown or in prison. I don't think we're gonna find our hacker there."


Tabi and Agoti begin pooling through the folders, stopping at one of them. "Hey I know this guy, jerk. Hacked into my accounts." Agoti said, motioning Tabi to look. "Oh yeah, I remember him. He's in prison?

Good." Tabi said.


"What about this Doxie person?" Tabi said. "They look to have had some run-ins."


"Wait, no. Too young." Tabi said.


"Don't know where to find her either."


"What about these Seven Deadly Sins guys? They look cool."


"Sparkledogs." Tabi spat.


"Hey c'mon that's mean. Nothing wrong with a little vibrance."


"Hm."


"Displo, you don't know anyone do you?"


He shook his head. You continued brainstorming.


"What if we flipped a guard?"


"That's impossible. All of that family's soldiers are demons, all similar and without morality. They'll be loyal to them forever." Tabi said.


"Wait, I think I know someone. That cat from the other night. He seemed pretty smart. His was name was, uh,...Short cat anthro-dude." Agoti said.


"Short cat?" Tabi said.


"At the arcade two nights ago. There was this cat guy, wicked smart. He had all the high scores. Dude must have been a hacker with how good he was. He might as well be."


"And you don't remember his name?" You ask.


"It was...argh I can't remember. Something short though."


"Well it's better than nothing. Any idea where he is now?" You ask.


"Hold on." Tabi said. "This was when you told me you saw Girlfriend?"


"Yeah."


"You said they were meeting with someone. Is he a friend of them?" Tabi said.


"I didn't really hang out with them much. I went looking for you." Agoti said, Tabi just glared at him.


"They were having some competition, the guy was getting really into it. Dude was practically smashing the DDR board when I left. He was there for Boyfriend it looked like. Looked pissed."


"Hmph. I don't know about this, Agoti. Sounds like friends or he was just another person hired to kill that boy." Tabi said.


You weren't sure if Boyfriend referred to the "girlfriends" boyfriend or it was actually just his name. You don't interrupt.


Agoti continued, pretending not to hear Tabi. "Heh, maybe we can even recruit the boy-"


"Absolutely not."


"Well I don't see you suggesting anyone."


You look at Displo who just shrugs. All he knew were IRIS people. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to Tabi and Agoti's arguing.


"Whatever. You know where the cat-boy is?" You butt in.


"Ehn. I don't know." Agoti shrugs. "I got his number though."


"Well, it's better than nothing." You say. "Any thoughts Displo?"


"Sweet." Agoti said, interrupting Displo. "I'll text him right now."


"*Ahem* None currently. I'll admit that it's pretty shaky grounds to think this person would be a hacker because they got high scores at an arcade."


"Hey, it wasn't just one machine. Dude practically had the whole place cornered. Showed off all his scores."


"He mention anything about computers or hacking?" You ask.


"Nope. Don't think so anyways."


"Well, I guess I agree with (Y/N). It is better than nothing." Displo said.


Agoti's phone dinged audibly. "Oh, he's at the arcade right now actually." He glanced closer at the phone. "Says he's dealing with some BS down there."


"Maybe we should go pay him a visit then." Tabi said.


"Eyy! Sounds good. We can go figure him out. Four of us could play some games too! Night on the town!" It had only been a few minutes and Agoti was already acting like everyone was best friends.


"Actually, I will be sitting this one out." Displo said.


"Yeah, I think it would be better if maybe just you two went." You say. You had nothing against arcades but figured that Agoti and Tabi as a duo would work better. People could just tell you were a detective one and didn't want that rubbing off on anyone.


Plus, you were still enamoured by that map. You wanted to start making strategies.


"Ehn. You two suit yourselves then."


"We will." Displo said. "Though, please practice discretion." He said, looking at Agoti.


"Hey, don't give me that look man."


You look at Tabi who just nods in silence. You weren't worried at Agoti, it looked like Tabi would have him under control.


"We'll see you tomorrow then." Tabi said. You nod back.


The two leave, Agoti having a bounce in his step, Tabi walking head down, pretending he didn't know the digidevil.


With just you and Displo alone you decide to ask him some things.


"What do you think of Agoti?"


"He's a bit high-energy and juvenile but seems okay. I did a quick search while you all were discussing. His story checks out. Though I couldn't help but think that we're getting a little ahead of ourselves."


"I think I know what you mean. Can you pull up the map again?"


"Certainly." Displo fiddled with the tablet as the hologram spread back to life. You had an idea what he was getting at. It was something that was gnawing at you too as Tabi and Agoti argued.


You glance over the crude city-scape. "Something huge like this. We're gonna need practice."


"Precisely, (Y/N). Have you ever heard of pentesting?"


"Vaguely. Has to do with security."


"Well, to simply put it is a test wherein we see how far we can get into a secure system, physical or technical."


"What are you getting at?"


"Well, it is just a though but perhaps we could get clearance to pentest my superiors. It would be suitable practice if we could say, break into my own headquarters."


"If they approve."


"I suspect they will. They love these kinds of 'theatrics'. It is like a game to them."


"Well first we need to see what we need." You glance over at the map.


"Let's have them recruit that potential hacker-cat and then we'll figure it out what roles we need for this. In the meanwhile I will speak to my superiors of this."


"Sounds good. If it's alright with you, I'm gonna head out for the night." You say.


"I shall retire as well. Should I expect you tomorrow morning?"


"Yep, I'll be here."


"Very good. Have a good night."


"You too Dis."


Agoti has joined the party!


Track 08 - High Scores


"I've been here trying to beat them but I swear he's hacking."


Tabi and Agoti stepped into the cold night. Spring was still on the horizon so things hadn't fully warmed up yet. The pavement felt particular frozen as they walked. Both members didn't mind. Their hoodies put in enough work.


Tabi couldn't help but feel starved, he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and was holding out. The last thing he wanted to do was tell Agoti. He didn't need his help.


He didn't want to be here either but knew he could read characters. He had to keep Agoti from blabbering about the mission too. He hoped it would be quick.


"(Y/N) and Displo are pretty cool. That Displo guy is kinda uptight." Agoti said as the two walked. They both knew where the arcade was but Agoti led. Tabi walked close behind.


"Hrm."


"(Y/N)'s alright though. Pretty cool for a former cop too." Agoti continued, even as Tabi gave minimal responses.


"Yeah."


"Uh-uh. You wanna stay at my place tonight?


"I'll pass. I don't want to be interrogated by Sol."


"Hey, you know he was pretty happy you stayed over the other night."


"I prefer the streets. I don't need your help." Tabi's throat felt dry. He regretted not getting water earlier.


"...." Agoti didn't respond.


The two walked in silence to the arcade. Every few minutes Tabi glanced around, just to make sure they weren't being followed. After a few blocks, Agoti stopped.


Nearly passing him Tabi stopped. "What are you doing?" He asked.


"Hey man, I saw how you were starring at me back in there. You really don't mind if I join right? I don't want to force anything. Be serious." Agoti said, his usual demeanour sinking slightly.


Tabi suppressed a sigh. While he'd found Agoti annoying he was still his friend. Thinking on it now, he felt a little bad the way he was treating him back there.


"It's fine. Really. We coul-need your help. I just don't want you to get in trouble with Sol. Especially after everything that happened."


"And I don't want you blabbering about this mission to everything." He added sternly.


Agoti caught up to Tabi. "Thanks man. And don't worry about me. I'll handle Sol if anything happens."


"Good. Now let's go." Tabi said without any of the gruff he usually used. Maybe I have been too hard on him, Tabi thought.


The two continued on, Agoti's upbeat demeanour immediately returning. Feeling slightly bad, Tabi decided he'd try to hold up the conversation.


"So what's this arcade like?"


"Real cool place. Only a few years old too. It's called the Flashpoint Arcade. Real cool stuff. They salvage old arcade games and fix em up. Got a whole 'cult' thing going to."


"Cool." Instinctively he almost pulled out a cigarette, stopping when he remember it was Agoti he was speaking to.


"They're opening up another location a few cities over. The new place is called Kahvibreak. They were handing out flyers to it the other day."


"I see." Tabi said. He couldn't think of anything else to add. He figured he might as well ask about one thing he was familiar with.


"And you saw the girl here?"


"And her boyfriend." Agoti said. "Yep. The two of them were hanging out, BF rap battling the cat-dude."


"Whose name you can't remember."


"Man I swear it ended with an I but that's it." He shrugged.


A few blocks later they finally reached the arcade. It was a large multi-story building with a very sleek, retro-look to it. Beside in the windows were decals of various old game characters. Tabi recognized very few of them. Whatever games they had were not the ones he grew up with. The entrance was grand with huge doors protecting the entrance. A large neon sign sat above them with the arrowed logo and the name FLASHPOINT in gigantic red neon text. There was music emanating from the entrance and it sounded more like a club than some arcade.


Not wanting to be seen Tabi put his hat on tighter, trying to stay anonymous. Agoti didn't care and was clearly standing out. Hood off, he didn't care who recognized him.


The two friends stepped into the arcade. They were greeted immediately by the luminous glow of the various machines. The ceiling of rafters was made to look like stars in a night sky, glowing paint etched into the ceiling.


The music was as loud here, the sounds of the machines and people easily drowning it out.


"Welcome to flashpoint. For two?" A clerk asked at the entrance.


"Yeah, two for free play."


"That'll be..." The clerk trailed off, Tabi not listening. He was scanning the arcade. He liked playing these kinds of machines, though it felt like a lifetime ago. They'd gone once to an arcade, her and Tabi. They had a good-


"Yo, you coming?" Agoti asked. Tabi had been staring off into the distance.


"y-Yeah." Tabi said. He stepped through the turnstile and entered the 'Launchbox Lobby' as it displayed.


The arcade was stylized to appear retro but sleek and modern. A black and red carpeted floor lined the ground displaying patterns of Flashpoint's logo. Tabi stared at them, colourful stars among the fibres.


There were arcade machines lining all of the metallic walls, assorted into categories of different developers, styles and more. There was even a large videotron hanging from the ceiling cycling through the high scores of various games. A directory stood in the centre, indicating the arcade as more vast than it looked. This was just one section of many.


There was a poster stating that all machines here were re-serviced and re-discovered by fans along with what he assumed to be the year Flashpoint launched. With all the games he'd never heard of the place seemed more like a museum than a modern arcade. He knew he wasn't going to play anything. No way I'm wasting money on this, Tabi thought bitterly.


Agoti likewise was looking around, though his attention was fixated on the cat. He was still racking his mind to try and remember what that guys name was. He wished he didn't enter his name as catkid.


"So where is he?" Tabi asked.


Agoti checked his phone. He sent a message asking exactly where the guy was.


The response was almost instant.


"2f ddr"


Agoti shrugged. "Second floor. Come on."


"Alright. Well be discreet about it. He can't know."


"I will, don't worry man."


It was only a Thursday night so the place wasn't as busy as it normally would. Tabi found this refreshing as he didn't have to worry about getting noticed. Plus the arcade machines were overpowering the sound of his stomach.


Upstairs were a similar amount of machines and layout but with a more retro looking carpet. It was what Tabi was expecting when he first came here. Purple with all sorts of random shapes patterning it.


All the machines in this section appeared to be rhythm games, some having drum peripherals and some having an arrow board on the ground. Tabi never really cared for those kinds of games then. He didn't care much now either.


Agoti scanned around before settling on the corner of the play area. Someone was getting really into the DDR game, practically stomping on the board. It was a short guy, one that Agoti recognized immediately.


"I'll do the talking." Agoti whispered and Tabi nodded. With Tabi following he introduced themselves. "Hey, hey. What's goin-"


"SHUTUP! Quiet! Just for a sec!" The catguy hissed at Agoti. He missed a few notes, Agoti having caught him off guard. He stopped dancing and pressed something on the handle, pausing the game. He sighed in defeat. "Sorry, just not doin' good tonight." He pulled a water bottle from his hoodie and downed the whole thing before tossing it aside in frustration.


He just took a seat on the edge of the board, looking defeated and burying his head in his hands.


It was not what Tabi was expecting based on what Agoti had said.


He was an anthro cat, or wolf, he couldn't tell. He had long grey fur, some of which was tied into a pony tail. He had a tail which poked out of his black jeans but it wasn't moving much. He looked to have black freckles as well as some kind of piercing in his ears.


Tabi couldn't tell. He looked to be about his age, just physically shorter than the both of them. He wore a similar getup to both him and Agoti. His hoodie was far more colourful, having blue arms and stomach pocket, orange lining and straps and red tassels and collars. He was wearing black jeans and black and blue shoes.


He looked sweaty, like he'd been working out. Perhaps a little too into the game. Agoti had referred to him multiple times as a cat so Tabi figured that's what he probably was.


"Sorry bout' that Agoti. Just got a little into it." The catboy said and looked up.


"No worries man. Rough day?"


"Not really. Just stupid, argh!" He shouted. "Nevermind. Hey...who's your friend?" His voice was medium-pitched, not as deep as Agoti or Tabi but not as squeamish as he looked.


"Ah. This is Tabi, a close friend of mine. We go way back."


The cat stood up and extended his hand. "Heh, your name rhymes with mine."


Tabi reached out to shake.


"Name's Kapi." He said smiling.


Tabi reached out to shake. "Heh, your name rhymes with mine. your names like mine, Kapi."


The two shook. Kapi took a long look at Tabi, trying to get a feel.


"So you're a goat anthro?"


"You mangy-I'm human!" Tabi snapped. He hated being called that. Kapi took a step back, surprised by Tabi's outburst.


"Woah, easy Tab. Tell you all what. Let's a drink. Think we're all little heated tonight. On me." Agoti said, immediately getting in-between them.


"Bah, you can say that again. Need something better than this water." Kapi went to pick up the discarded bottle.


The three got up and started going towards the refreshment area. An alcohol-free bar called the "Splash Pad" was situated just next to the rhythm game area. It took no time to get there. Kapi led and while Kapi wasn't looking Agoti slapped Tabi upside the head.


"You-what was that for?" Tabi whispered


angrily. Agoti just shot him a look back of 'don't blow it'.


Kapi took a seat at a high table, easily jumping onto the chair.


"What do you guys want? I'll go order." Agoti said. He silently hoped that Tabi wouldn't try to strangle him.


"Water." Tabi said.


"Get me a root beer float."


"You got it." Agoti said. He winked at Tabi before turning and walking to the counter.


"So how'd you get that look? All threatening and stuff." Kapi said.


Tabi wasn't sure to take it as an insult or compliment. "It's a long story. I didn't chose to be this way." He said coldly.


"Ah well no sweat. Lotta people think I'm a wolf. I have to correct them too. Not an anthro either actually. That's a long story too."


Kapi looked Tabi up and down. While the man did appear threatening, Kapi wasn't the least bit scared of him. His mind was already wandering onto other things.


Tabi was silently wishing he'd gone with Agoti. He wasn't sure how to approach asking him to join a criminal conspiracy. He instead decided to ask about what he did know.


That girl.


"You were here with GF the other night?"


"Who?"


"Girlfriend. Wears a red dress, long brown hair. Mahogany." Was this even the right person, Tabi thought.


"Oh-oh yeah! Yeah BF and I had a whole competition. He got lucky. I was just having a bad day. You know them?"


"I did. Once." Tabi said and chose to leave it at that.


"Alright, here you go guys." Agoti said, returning with a platter. He placed it down on the table. It had three drinks, a root beer float, a water and a soda. Tabi took the water and practically started chugging it. He was parched, though trying to hide it.


Kapi didn't seem to notice or care but Agoti did.


"Yeah, I couldn't stick around the other night. How'd it go? You got his girl?" Agoti asked.


"Bah! No way. I was just screwin with him. She's cute, but her family, man I couldn't handle that." Kapi said as he drank the float.


"You can say that again." Tabi said.


"So what're you guys doing here tonight? I'd play more DDR but I got a lot on my plate tonight. Just do that to chill out." Kapi said. Tabi shrugged. He didn't know how that made sense, but then again he never played those kinds of games.


"Yeah, what's? You looked pretty determined back there."


"Friggin-some guy came and beat all my high scores last night. And not even by a little either. Dude smashed all the records. Put me to second place. I'm not some two-bit second placer. He's screwing with me!" Kapi said, angrily.


"Who?" Agoti asked.


"Sonic."


Tabi raised an eyebrow. "The Sonic?"


"From Mobius?"


They'd heard of Sonic before, sure. He was from the planet Mobius, a huge celebrity across the world.


"Nah, it can't be the real one. That's just what he's signing all his scores as." Kapi said.


"I've been here trying to beat them but I swear he's hacking. Every time I even get close to the score I screw up. OR. When I beat it suddenly dude comes in and beats me like 1 point higher."


"You sure it's not the staff messing with you?" The cynic in Tabi asked.


Kapi just shook his head. "Uh-uh. No way. They have strict rules here. They'd get fired if they messed with the games." Kapi finished off the float in record time.


He sighed. "This sonic guy is really trying to piss me off. He beat everyone's scores but then he started screwing with me."


Kapi pulled out his phone and started scrolling. A second later he showed them a photo. "I even got this from one of the games."


"Bro I searched the whole arcade after getting that. Guy must've left or something. Couldn't find who sent it. AND, staff checked the cameras there wasn't anyone who it could have been."


A photo of the arcade machine was visible. Kapi zoomed in. On the screen it displayed Sonic and Kapi's scores, Sonic's just barely ahead. Under Kapi's scores it was supposed to display the other players but instead it was a message.


"TOO BAD KAPI. ALL YOUR SCORES ARE MINE. FIND ME IF YOU DARE."


"This really sounds like staff trying to screw with you." Tabi said again. He had finished the water and was feeling marginally better.


"No. There's no way it's them. Believe me I've checked. It's been happening to them too. Everyone's scores been beaten. They're pissed off as much as me. But this dude has been targeting me specifically."


Tabi wanted to ask more about his opinion on the family but wasn't sure how to. He looked at Agoti who just shrugged.


"But that's enough of me. I'm just about ready to return to the dance floor. What're you guys doing here? Wanna help with me quest?"


"Actually, we was looking to talk to you." Agoti said.


"Oh really? What's up?" He asked innocently.


"Do you know anything about hacking?" Tabi asked.


"I know my way around a computer. Why?"


"Tab and I are planning something. We need a hacker, someone who can break into systems."


"Who are we hitting?"


Tabi didn't respond immediately, unsure what to say. He looked to Agoti.


"I don't think we can tell you that. At least not now." He said.


"Do I know 'em?"


"Yeah, probably."


"Hmmm. It's not this place is it?"


"What? No. It's the F-" Agoti started to say but was stopped by Tabi who jabbed his side.


Kapi's ears perked up. He had an idea. His eyes went wide.


"You wanna hit *them*?" He asked surprised. He seemingly already knew the target.


"I don't-"


"Yeah sure, I'll hit the..." Kapi got real quiet and whispered. "..family." He sat up. "Guys commandeered a few arcade machines from the place anyways. I want 'em back. Plus it'll be funny."


"You're okay with that?"


"Yeah." Kapi said. "I figured that's what you guys were planning anyways. Agoti went on the other day about how much you hate them."


Tabi shot Agoti a death stare. Agoti continued. "I mean aren't you friends with-"


"BF, yeah, since childhood. But it's not like he's that close to them anyways. I talk to him all the time. He's lost track of how many times they've tried to take him out." Kapi said. "Hey, if you're looking for an extra person he'd probably love to join-"


"Absolutely not. I've had my own run-in with him. He can't know about this." Tabi said. "Me too." Agoti said.


"Oh? You gotta tell me. They send you to kill him too?"


"No. Just know that he's not in." Tabi said, leaving it at that.


"Ehn, whatever. Suit yourself. He'll tell me anyways."


"If you tell anyone of this I swear I'll gu-"


"Easy, Tab. You really can't tell anyone of this though. It has to be secret. Can you do that for us?"


Kapi looked at Agoti quizzically, as if weighing his options. "Alright. I'll keep quiet about it."


"So you're in?" Tabi asked.


"Well, I'll help you guys out on one condition. I need you guys to take out Sonic."


Tabi just looked questioningly at Kapi. "I guess we could stakeout the arcade and wait till he shows up."


Kapi stopped Tabi and shook his head. "Nah, that's not gonna work. Here." He scrolled to another photo and showed it to Agoti and Tabi.


It showed a direct threat on one of the screens telling him to log into a VR world, with an address listed below. It listed him to come during the day.


"Guy wants to fight me or something. I can't afford VR, plus I gotta work days. I've been waiting for the weekend to borrow and confront him but if you guys can do it tomorrow I'll join, no questions asked." Kapi said.


Tabi looked at Agoti. His eyes agreed.


"Alright. We'll deal with Sonic." Agoti said, holding his hand out. Kapi shook back.


"And get whatever info you can from him. I'm gonna get the arcade to ban him. Frickin' cheater."


"You got it."


"There anything else you guys want? Wanna help me get my scores back tonight? I've been tracking exactly how he cheats; been helping staff build a report."


"I gotta go, I work early in the morning." Tabi said.


"Ehn, I got some time. I'll join ya." Agoti said.


"Alright, let's get started. This dude's goin' down." Kapi said, excusing himself from the high table.


"I'll join ya in a sec, just gotta see Tab off."


"No problem. I'll get started." Kapi said, running off to his DDR machine.


Agoti leaned into Tabi. "What do you think?"


"I don't have a VR set. Where are we gonna get one?"


"I'm sure Displo has one we can use."


"Yeah, but you gotta work tomorrow. And I'm gonna be in the recording booth all day." Agoti said.


Tabi just shrugged. "I'm sure Displo and (Y/N) can handle it."


"They better. Give (Y/N) a call and get him up to speed. I'm gonna see if I can learn anything else."


"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."


"See ya, Tabi."


Agoti left Tabi alone at the table, joining Kapi in his quest. Tabi pulled out his phone and called you, ready to give an update on the situation.


After a brief conversation he ducked out of the arcade, unseen and retired to his hovel, ready for another day of labour.


Track 09 - Cyberspace


"Hey, you wanna play?"


Friday.

The end of the work week. Not for you anyways. While Displo had said you were free to come in and work whenever you decided to at least do a few days on before a break. The job was easy anyway.

Today was going to be a bit different however. Tabi had given you an update on his and Agoti's meeting with the 'cat-boy hacker'. His name was Kapi and you'd never heard of him before. Apparently he had agreed to help out on the condition that his 'nemesis' be defeated.

Said nemesis seemed to be a hacker of their own, having somehow broken into a few separate arcade machines. When in he would display a threat to Kapi or other people in the arcade. Tabi had forwarded you a photo from one such message. Then on, Kapi's nemesis had singlehandedly smashed every high-score he had gotten. He went by the name 'Sonic' and Tabi added that it wasn't 'the' Sonic. You figure if it was the real Sonic it would have been news.

Tabi delivered the news late last night, long after you had finished work.

Back at Displo's you were there now. It was just you and Displo in the meeting room. He was sitting in front of TURINGS, scanning through the warning and address. You were leaning on the desk, standing beside him.

"It's a little unusual this 'hacker' is targeting exclusively arcade machines. I checked with our security teams and they have no knowledge of a hacker named Sonic."

Displo scrolled through. "According to the Flashpoint docs these cabinets aren't even connected to the internet in any meaningful way. All around this hacker is just strange."

Displo had the photo displayed on the computer screen. It was a threat to Kapi inserted right into the high scores table. Signed Sonic, it included a warning as well as a web-address where to find him.

After Kapi and Tabi's meeting another warning was finally put up. It was another threat. Sonic vowed he would keep breaking scores until Kapi agree to 'fight' him at some web-address. vrp://19910726.sonic.md. You had no idea what to make of it, never being much of a computer expert yourself.

"The streets are my office." You used to say.

Displo didn't know the specifics of the address. He had put in a call to the cyber security team at IRIS. One of their technicians was on the line, speaking through the computer.

"The address is strange. I can't seem to pinpoint exactly where this server is, what system it runs or any history from it. I've checked the usual places. VirusTotal, OTX, even pinging it. At most it appears to be some sort of 68000 machine but that also seems impossible. Nothing these days uses 68k. We use mostly ARM and x86. Maybe RISC-V but not 68k. It doesn't make any sense."

"What should we do?" You ask. You had no idea what he was talking about but it didn't sound good. Displo was listening attentively, choosing not to speak.

"Well, I'd just say be careful. My scans don't indicate any malware on the server. It appears to be provisioned, sandboxed and even read-only. So there's not much can jump out at you. It's probably safe, but again be careful." He paused. "The VRP means it's a VR world. I guess the worse that could happen is that whoever is there could hit you with seizing lights or explicit pictures. Long as you aren't epileptic it should be okay."

"Thank you for your help." Displo said.

"Aight. Y'all know where to reach me. Peace." The technician hung up.

"What do you think?" The whole thing seemed unusual to you.

"The mission seems do-able. I'm still not sure what Sonic means by fight. It's VR. He can't hurt you in any meaningful way." Displo shrugged. "Maybe it's a simple game he wants Kapi to play? Just a simple wager for the highest scores. I guess you best get to it."

"About that. You wouldn't happen to have a VR set around? I've never touched the stuff."

Displo sighed. "Well I don't suppose someone like you would. My, without me this operation would be dead on the vine."

"Hey, you're the smartest, most well-connected of any of us."

"Thank you. Compliments will go a long way. I could borrow a set from HQ, but it would take some time to arrive. Don't you have any allies back at the station? I'm sure they have something in evidence." Displo said, casually suggesting you steal one.

You weren't sure about allies in the station but you knew they had some back-end evidence sales.

"Hrm. I think we might. Is the TURINGS compatible?"

Displo nodded. "It should be."

"Alright." You get up. "I'll go see if I can commandeer one and we'll do this soon as I get back."

"Until then, (Y/N)."

A quick trip to the station later you got yourself a VR set. It took a bit of doing, as well as the chief asking lots of questions. You told him the PI business was on hold while you did security. You managed to avoid telling him what restaurant thanks to an intern barging in.

It didn't take much to get a VR set from the evidence room, the guard outright giving it to you. He complained the box took up too much space. It was a large set, one that required several cops to load it into your car.

Apparently someone had been arrested in possession of several beta builds of it. The evidence guard, happy it was gone even erased the report for it. For all they knew this VR set was never in police custody.

You read that the case was a year ago but it looked like nobody had bothered to actually return them to the company they were stolen from.

With the help of two other cops you were able to load it into your car. You also learned off the record that a few more rules were put into place as a result of you digging too deep into the family. Something about police no longer being allowed to go after "monetary benefactors" to the station.

Either way you were again glad you weren't working there anymore. Back at Displo's you and him unpacked the tools and set it up in the hideout. You only intended it to be a one-off thing so it wasn't set up with any professionalism.

"Where did you get this?" Displo asked. He slotted a metal piece into another.

"Evidence. Was in storage for a while."

"Couldn't have been too long. This is a recent model." The whole process to assemble was easy. Though there was no instruction guide it was obvious what piece fit into what.

"Yeah, like a year or something."

Displo looked at one of the pieces, the logo etched onto the metal catching his attention.

"TGG." Displo mumbled.

"Hmm?"

"It's the company this set belong to."

"You know 'em?"

"Vaguely. They are one of our competitors. Shouldn't be a problem though."

"They as close with our 'partners' as you guys are?" You ask in code.

Displo looked up, thinking. "I do not actually know their stance on them. They are fiercely...how should I say...anti-paranormal so I would assume so."

"Interesting." You mentally note that down. Maybe I could return it later and get in good favour with them. You think.

A few minutes later, and a little bit before the restaurant fully opened you and Displo had the set up done.

"Do you perhaps think I could take this off your hands after this?" Displo asked. You shrug. "Fine by me."

You had originally thought this to be just a headset and some controllers. You were wrong, it was actually the full package. It looked more like a futuristic pod than a set.

While the headset was there, there were a lot of additional tools such as sensors to feel things on the body, gloves and shoes. A card within the box read that it allows the user to fully immerse themselves in a 3D world. There was a table in the set followed by a hook hanging above it containing the set. It apparently allowed the user to lie down while simulating the feeling of VR (allowing them to walk around and feel).

A small pillow was even included.

It was a bit extra from what you were expecting but you were still curious.

"What do you think?" You ask Displo.

"It's a rather advanced set. I'm sure my superiors would love to take a look at this."

"Better them than me. Tell 'em it fell off a truck or something."

"Very good." Displo said, missing the joke. He plugged the set into TURINGS.

It lit up, LEDs on the table shining red faintly. It took a minute to orient itself and install the drivers. Once it was ready a small whirring sound was heard and the LEDs starting shining blue.

It was ready.

Displo took a seat at the computer and started fiddling with it. You go to look at the set and begin putting on the apparel. The wired gloves and boots felt slick but soft. You could tell there were sensors fitted on each.

"Okay. I am going to turn it on. Once in you should be able to navigate to the VR world yourself. I'm going to leave you alone while I handle the lunch rush." Displo finished inputting some settings on the computer.

"I'm afraid that today is a corporate retreat and we're expecting a lot of employees to come by. I won't be able to help you."

"Ehn, shouldn't be a problem."

"I'll be back in a few hours. According to the instructions you just need to put the headset on and it should start. You'll be able to enter the address yourself. Worst case scenario just remove the helmet."

"Okay. Thanks Displo."

"Best of luck (Y/N)."

"You too."

Displo nodded and left you alone, closing the door behind him.

You pull yourself onto the table and lie back. You place the headset on top of your eyes and ears, allowing it to take full view. It appears bright blue as it adjusts, eventually settling into the vision of an options menu. You move your arm up, unsure if it did in real life or just the set. Either way, it mimics your perceived actions. You lose track of feeling from the outside world as the virtual reality sets in.

You get up off the table, though in reality you haven't moved at all. It feels a bit jarring but you quickly get used to it. Looking around everything looks retro-futuristic. There were purple horizons in a light purple grid. The menu popped up in front of you.

Navigating through the menus you find the option to enter the address. Displo apparently already pre-programmed it in as a small paper on the ground displays it.

You enter it in.

vrp://19910726.sonic.md

It takes a few minutes to connect but afterwards you see all the ground fade and turn to a bright shade of green. Slowly but surely everything loads in. At first it is just a plain green field, blue horizon like in a dream but gradually structures begin to form in it.

A pop-up message displays "Sonic's World, HILL ACT 1". A light jingle was playing as well, giving the area some atmosphere.

You look around. It all appeared really cartoonish.

Above was a picturesque blue sky with just a touch of clouds. On the horizon you could see a vast ocean, water all pixelated. Further down the horizon were a series of mountains that were infinitely far away. Those were the most 'normal' looking things around.

The grass contained a green and darker green checkerboard pattern. It severed any implications this was real life. The rest of the world was and robotic. Standing in an open field. There were a few bushes around but like a lot of the scenery were blocky and rough. Even the green like the grass and leaves looked sharp. The whole bush looked more like a paper fan than a bush.

Everything was rasterized with large pixels making up all the objects and scenery. It was as if a 2D sprite had been thrust into 3D, giving it a blocky and sharp feel. You would have said it was if everything was made of Lego/Lepin blocks.

The sunflowers were comically large, sharp as well. There were a few totem poles present, spikes extruding from the sides of the tops. Checking around at least some of the flowers were normal, albeit heavily pixelated.

Other than the mountains the trees were the most normal things. Palm trees, though arcing straight up instead of angled. The leaves very slowly moved in the wind, glitching as they did. Nothing much had that of the scenery appeared to not be jagged. Only some of the landscape beyond had a more 'normal' appearance.

But despite the appearances it all felt real.

Even the ground felt real beneath your shoes. Looking over yourself you see that you were wearing the same clothes as when you were in reality. Even your brown trench coat was present, gun in holster. The program even recognized it as a gun, sort of. You carried a 9mm but the program seemed to have scanned it as a revolver. Checking the barrel it was fully loaded.

There wasn't any way you could be fooled. This was virtual reality.

But, despite the presence of nature there wasn't much in the way of any creatures, let alone Sonic. You spot some woodland creatures and robotic versions of them foraging around. If they've noticed you then didn't care as they did nothing upon your presence.

Figuring Sonic could just not have shone up yet you walk around. You take in the fresh air. The scent reminds you that it was still just VR as you pick up the scent of the hideout. A slight smell of various dishes emerging from the kitchen. Well, at least if the restaurant burns down I'll be able to tell.

While the field looked 'normal enough', the landscape beyond it was even more unusual. The land contorted into loops and huge rolling hills. In parts it completely warped and went high up in the air, far higher than a hill should. And far steeper too.

You shrug it off. This was supposed to be virtual reality anyways.

Before you could examine the scenery further a notification pops up in the bottom corner of your vision. You try to look at it but you find it moves when you look. It was part of the UI.

"VRP Pro-Tip #1: You can check your settings but looking down and activating your elbow! (you can disable these pop ups by s̷̡̙̺̙̯̠̤̟̖̆̇̇̋̃̄̂̋̽́̉̆͌͐͝ͅw̴̨̡̭̙̘̣̤͙̟͇̞͂̃͊̅́̔̽̈̇̂̚͜͠i̴̧̳͔̳͆p̵̰̰̮̫̞͐̋͜ͅi̸̧̢͈̥̯͓͛̃̒n̶̪̞̓̈̈̃g̵̢̻͕̉̿͌͛̌̋́̉͊͗̐̕ ̶̨̡̥̖͎̲͈̪̰͇̘͂̿͛͜ͅt̸̨̨̧̰̘̟̖̼͎̻̱̎̓̑́͌̊̽͂̂̓͘͜͝͠ͅh̵̢̰̼̖͎̮͓̥͈̱̱̤̊̇̀͐͛̚͜ę̷͙͕̥̯̬̤̥͍̞̞͓̆̐́́͊͆̍̊̃̓̆̒̔̕̚ ̸̛͚̪̲͆̿̓̋́̋͐́͘̕̚͝ḿ̵̧̱͙͇̺̳͇̺͓͉̪͚͒͘͝ͅę̵̩̝̝̝̫̙̼̳̝͈̦͐̈͑̾́̊́͜͜͝n̷̢͖̼̣͇͕̗̠̓̌͂͒͌̆u̵͍̾̈́̒̃̄̓̂̆͆̕ ̵̧̙̖̭̮̄̆͋̓̉̃͗͒͒̑́̄͒̕͜͝ä̶̬́͂̓̾͘͝w̷̧̱̑͑̌̀̈́̒͝a̵͓̫̒̊͂̃̅́̇̿̀̃̃́͘̕̕y̸̰͓̳̻̪͕̙͚̘̺̝̞̓̒͆͑̾̕͝)"

The message cut out.

Must be because this is a beta model. You think regarding the distorted text.

You look at your wrist, pressing it like a button. A gauntlet forms onto it and a menu pops up. You look through various options before putting it away.

Where was Sonic anyways? You were expecting more of a welcome than this. You continue walking around, curious as to how that loop in the landscape functioned.

While walking to it you notice something on the ground contrasting with the rest of the scenery. It stood right out.

It was a...doll? You pick it up.

It was a doll of Tails, someone you knew was part of Sonic's crew. It was a cartoony version of him with an antenna atop his head. At the end of the antenna was a crystal. It didn't look professionally made, seams visible throughout it.

"Cute little thing."

You decide to keep it with you. You figure you could hook it onto your belt but find that while it appeared there it wasn't 'real'. You couldn't grab it. You fiddle with it for a bit before it somehow clips to the belt as if gravity pulled it. It was now attached to your waist but some unseen force. You shrug.

It's a been a while since you entered the simulation and you felt fine. Looking around still felt a little jarring and you could feel just a minor headache but you were getting used to it. Wasn't as bad as you heard it was.

With Sonic still nowhere to be found you decide to try and interact with the animals you saw back there. Turning back you notice that they were all gone. The flowers had disappeared too. Trees, foliage and the bushes remained.

While there had been a light jingle playing earlier there was no music now. In a matter of seconds things had become eerie.

The whole space looked liminal, the sky had becoming clear as well.

"Tails, where are you?" You hear someone call from afar. It sounded like the real Sonic. It echoed throughout.

You almost respond back but decide not to. Something about the whole setup was odd and you didn't trust that this wasn't to be some ambush. VR had taken over the senses and you had forgotten this wasn't real life. Or was it now? It was hard to tell.

If this is the real Sonic there was zero chance you could take him on. Not against someone with that kind of speed. You decide not to, hoping to either surprise him or run into him normally.

You blink, or the surroundings blink. You couldn't tell. The colour appeared slightly more washed out in everything, and the water falls on the horizon had stopped moving. They just stood there, motionless.

It was getting splittingly quiet. Something was really off.

Before you could even react you briefly see something move fast behind you. You spin back only to see nothing. Sufficient to say, you were starting to get creeped out now.

Another flicker in the area. For a split second you see stuff appear distorted, trees appearing out of the ground and bushes flashing in the sky. It was as if the integrity of the land itself was breaking.

You look at you wrist, pulling the menu out. Alright, enough playing. You were thoroughly creeped out. This must have been some kind of trick to scare Kapi. You didn't know him but imagined he would be freaking out too.

The exit button or rather most settings were displaying the same kind of blinking corrupted text the help-tip outputted earlier. The buttons weren't working. Nor were really any of the buttons are you pressed frantically.

While looking for another option to quit, you notice a red fraction displaying 3/30. You touch it and a menu pops up saying "ACTIVE PLAYERS".

It lists 3, though one name disappears before you could even read it. All you saw was that it started with the letter S. The other 2 players listed were you (displayed as Player 3) and Sonic.

The eerie silence began to be replaced by strange sounds and glitch tunes.


Now Playing...


Artist:

School of Emotional Engineering


Song:

Slicing the Skin


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBvEMi3zAw


You decide you've had enough. Time to leave. No escape button? No matter. You try to take the helmet off only to find it wasn't coming off. At least, you couldn't tell. It just felt as if you were grabbing your own head. You couldn't feel a visor, let alone the headset at all. You try to take the gloves or boots off, unable to do so as well. It was just your hands and feet that you touched.

A pop-up appears. "Pro-Tip: Ņ̸̢̩͖͉̞̹͖͍̈̐̆͂̆̊͜ͅo̵̢͎̱̠̦̥̟̯̅̾̂͘͜ ̵̨͉͖̙̙͐̍̆̔͝g̶̛̣̗̓̓͌̋͋̈́̔̿̚͘ơ̸̢̻͙͆̋̀̆̄̀̆̃͗̀̊į̵̡̬̲̩̣̘̬̱̞̃̒̏͂͛̿̑͑͛̀̆̌̕ͅn̴̡̢̛̛͎͎̬̫͕͎͎̪͖̜͆́̓̍͒̒̈̇̄g̴̡̞̠̼̮͆̀͛̂ ̷̲̞̦̯͓̘̺̜̰͎̻͉̝̣̙͆͗͑͒̀̉͒̚̚͠ȁ̷̢͇̪̹̣͖̘͌̚n̸̬̙̩͊́͆͘y̸̢͉̫̝̬͇̜͙̭̮͒̄̇̒̊̉̎̍͜ẅ̴̨̡̟̖̝̫̹͔̲̪͓̺͚̼͔́̾͋͗͑̽͂̄̈̀̆̅̒̎͠ḧ̵̡̝̝̝͚̰̯̩͈̰̱̄̄̎̓̚ẹ̸̱̻̦̜̯̎̔̈́̎͂̍̿̏̒̅̆͐͝r̴͓̝̭̪̳̫̅̾͋̒͊͐̑̑͐̔̈́͋͠ȩ̷͂̃̇.̴̨̡̝͙̬̰̓͋̓̍̋̏̈́͝ ̵̲͍̳̮͓͔̩̉̿̅͗͛͌̀̅́͝Í̴̠͉͖̜̩̺̣̮̑͒̐͒̉́̿̅̐̕'̶̧͔̺̫̱̩͚̬͔͙͇̫̓ͅm̷̛͍̥̹͒͆͑͌̔̀͆̔̋̐͠ ̴͚͓͔͂̎̒̏̕n̴̡̳̲̩̞͕̗̜͎͉̼̈̾̈̄͘o̶̗̔̿̀̈́̊̀͗͐̓̅̔̇͘͝t̵̟͇̼̳̣̦̯̽͗̉̈́͒̅̕͝ͅ ̶̛̹͈̗͒̾̂̒̇̓̃͘͝ṙ̴̙̮̾̚e̸͖͙͕͎̬͕̣̋̈̆a̴̲̰̩̮͆͒̽̓̒̎d̷̛̠͌̀̅͌̎̇̌͌̃̈́̈́̍͠͠ỳ̸̨̡̛̲̩̭̫̳͍̬̪̲͚̰͔̀̄͂̅̐͋̒͛̒͘͘ ̴͚̫͐̾͗̀̊͗͊̋͋̿͘͝͠͠f̴̧̡̣̣͓̣̰̞̘̹̪̖͉͚̩̊͆̇̊̾̄̓̃͑́̈̿̍̔ơ̶̪̠̭̤̂̑́r̵̙̱͍̫̭͚͙̭̜̗͚͌̋̄̿̃̑́̈́͋̐̕͝ ̸̨̦̩̪̓͌̀̾͒̽̍͋̽̌y̵̛̖̘̯͇̬̟̱̟͓̗̺̩͌͂̀͜͜o̸̦̺̜̖̽̽̒̀̔͛́͘͜͝u̷̗̠̮͎̦͚̇ ̷̦͚̭̫̪͐̃̏͗̌̀̎̈́̏̏̕͝y̶̭̋́̋̇͂̽̈́͗̈̈́̂͂̚̕ȩ̸̨̜̩͉̼͔̖̻͈̰̯̫̳̗̈́̓͐̊̓̋̎͝ť̵̡͓̬͔̳̻̀̇̐̏̍̀́͐̓͊̅̓̅̕.̴̨̠̤͉̮̗̀̿̂̇̍͐̿̏͂̉̀͒͠͠ͅ."

You open up the settings again only to find all the options had become distorted just as the other text. There was no getting out, at least not that way. There had to be some failsafe emergency exit. You try to weigh your options. A panic sets in, breathing becoming sharp. You touch the tails doll. It provides you with just a small amount of comfort. Displo would eventually come looking for you. This is just VR, nothing can hurt you. With no way out you had to wait for Displo now.

You relax slightly. There has to be another way out. Maybe a door or something. You look around. The foliage had all but completely disappeared, the field was barren now and the sky had turned a darker shade of blue. The horizon's colours had begun to fade as well. It was as if nature itself was becoming dying. At least you still had your gun and that doll. You try to do a check over. All pulses were fine, breathing normal. You take a deep breath, taking in the scent of Displo's cooking.

You start to walk around, a little fast now, looking for any semblance of a door. Or a portal, or anything to escape this ever-changing nightmare.

You nearly jump as another pop-up appears. Unlike the others, the text was clear, but in all caps.

"KAPI?"

"YES / N̶̙̤̜̹̟̬̪̮͍̈́͆͗̌͂̏͆ͅǪ̵̛̤͉͓͕̣̜͓̬́́̈́̑́̌̃͆̒̽̚͝͝"

It presented two options. Whoever was in charge of this world had gotten to you now. You choose to tell the truth, and, if you survive this care to kick the crap out of Kapi.

"NO."

The pop-up fades away instead of disappearing outright like the others. It was as if it was processing your response.

You stop your search upon seeing something rise up in the distance. It was red and glowing. It didn't appear as glitchy as the rest of the landscape, it looked almost organic. It reached a height in the sky before vanishing. It was like a flare.

Hoping it was some sort of escape signal you run towards it, pushing foliage out of the way.

You jump off a ledge into the clearing. Lying there, bloodied and cut up was the body of a man. You freeze, not expecting to see a dead body of all sudden. You completely forget you're in VR, this was as real as it could get.

It looked to be the body of a student, if his uniform was any indication. Soft blonde hair, light blue uniform, his face was an unrecognizable mess.

He was more pixelated than you. His appearance, though unlike the scenery was unlike yours as well. There were all sorts of cuts, bloodied bruises and bite marks all over him. He was dead.

"You saw it too right? Just dealt with this guy and some red thing rose out of him." Someone says, smiling behind you. You tense up.

"Then it just *popped* like a balloon. Pretty crazy huh?"

You knew that voice. It was Sonic. You turn around to see Sonic...floating above the ground?

"I wonder if you'll do that to?"

You couldn't believe your eyes.

Most people in Newgrounds City knew who Sonic was. He was the so-called "Guardian of Mobius". The few times he had come to NC had been a major event, with all sorts of people lining up to see him and his crew. You'd never seen him in person but you'd seen pictures and videos. But the being floating in front of you now could not have been him even though it sounded just like him.

In front was a blue hedgehog, wearing white gloves and red and white sneakers. Thick socks folded just above the shoes. Just like how you'd seen Sonic in pictures.

But things were off.

This didn't look fully like Sonic. His eyes were black and void-like, with a glowing red pupil in each eye. He had sharp yellow fangs that glistened in his wide, evil smile. From his eyes blood looked to have been dripping, spilling down his cheeks and past his mouth. His teeth were stained with a crimson red, no doubt carrying the blood of the deceased behind you.

"Well?" He asked.

The being calling himself Sonic shrugged. "That guy didn't stick around very long. Just you and me now."

His expression changed, happiness taking over. "Hey, you wanna play?"

Your heart skipped a beat.

Track 10 - Mad God


"Decapitation by yourself is no fun! Let me help!"


Now staring up at Sonic, fear started to creep in.

Sonic smiled at you with a most mischievous look. His black and red eyes clearly shone that he was looking forward to this. You froze staring up the mysterious being.

"I like the look of you." He growled, licking his lips. You glance back to the slain person next to you. "Oh don't worry about him. I'm done playing with him. But you, on the other hand. Let's play a bit more!"

And with a flash Sonic was gone.

No. If anything he's just trying to scare you. Remember this isn't real life. You take a deep breath. The scenery had at least returned to normal, all the foliage now present again.

The colour had mostly faded from the scenery, leaving a washed out landscape in front of you. At the end of field, by a cliff and bridge. Figuring it a way out you walk to it.

No sooner do you pace 50 steps before you're attacked. Just from the brief look it didn't appear you were any closer anyways. The animals from before had returned, now corrupted versions of themselves. Looking closer they weren't exactly animals but merely robotic versions of them. There were a few oversized crabs on the ground and a large iguana standing atop a bush.

It was a standoff, there was no sense in shooting them, you weren't sure if you'd have the focus to aim. Instead you follow your instinct. In a swoop you grab the nearby overly-sized sunflower. It was metallic to the touch, light but hard feeling. You wield it like a two-handed sword.

With a hearty swing you swipe at the iguana, the head of the sunflower easily cutting through it. It lodges itself in the bush's blocky exterior.

The crabs for you, trying to nip at your pants. One hearty stomp takes one out. Another one latches onto your pants and tries to drive its claws into your skin. The pain is sharp but sudden and you kick it off.

There was no time to reflect as the animals explode into a puff of smoke. You dislodge the sunflower now seeing that the metallic animals actually contained real ones!

But, just like their corrupted counterparts they don't seem the least bit normal. The squirrels jump at you, biting all the way. You stumble, only to find the cliff you thought far away was now next you. Tripping off it you fall, everything going blurry. Then, after what felt like minutes you were back up top. Whether you bounced back up or had never even fall you couldn't tell. It was all so disorienting.

"Too soon." You heard Sonic mutter from a distance.

The squirrels were gone as were the blue bird from the iguana. You grab the sunflower, looking around for another way out. Another door had appeared, this time back near the loop and dead body.

You run to it, nearly bumping into another animal as it flew it into your vision. A metallic bee, blue and grey instead of yellow and black. Stinger extended it darts at you. You raise the sunflower to block it, missing entirely. You managed to realize it quicker as you duck out of the way. It swipes at your shirt, cutting the fabric and scraping the skin. You suddenly take note at the immense pain that felt. I-it's not real. You try to repeat but find no words to speak.

Before the bee could make another move you swing the sunflower like an axe, cutting it in half. Instead of exploding like the others it merely falls to the ground, lifeless, the animal inside not moving either.

The pain across your chest now feeling like a papercut causes you to look down. Streaming very subtly from the cut in your shirt was blood. That can't be possible.

"Pretty good. Pretty good." You hear clapping from above you. Looking up was Sonic, a smug look on his face. "Lot more fight than the other one today."

You take a few steps back, raising the sunflower like a crucifix blocking evil.

"Do you like the game so far? I've made sure it's *just* like the real one." Sonic said. Just as you backed up, Sonic floated towards you expectantly.


Now Playing...


Artist:

Chungking Mansions


Song:

1999


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5RVCzgFPZY


You seldom notice the landscape changing. From washed out colours it all darkened. The sky had become a bright red, the sun was nowhere to be found, the horizon had become black and the features of the mountains vanishing. The ground had become a dark crimson red, like it had just been burnt.

The air too, felt tighter though that was a side effect of the looming panic. You try to remember Displo's cooking scent but even that seemed far away.

This was all for Kapi?

"What's wrong? Don't speak?" Sonic asked, still grinning.

You're first instinct was to frantically try and pull off the helmet. Like the earlier attempt it was impossible.

"Decapitation by yourself is no fun! Let me help!" Sonic said before flying towards you. You instincts kicked in and you jumped out of the way, tripping over yourself as moved. Sonic smashed into the landscape, kicking up a cloud of dirt. In the chaos you had dropped the sunflower.

His silhouette quickly shone through. He was fine.

"Good moves! Let's maybe stretch this out. Maybe play a little game? I could waste some time. Still waiting on that loud-mouth fool. Oh, I know! Let's play hide and seek! You hide! I'll start counting!" Sonic said with a smile. He vanished, just as the cloud of dirt did.

He was gone.

It took a second to even process what's going on.

Another robotic animal had appeared. An insect-looking machine with a wheel instead of legs. It had the top-half of a beetle and two appendages with spikes for hands. It charged towards you.

"NO! THIS ONE'S MINE." Sonic shouted and dove towards it light speed. It flinched at Sonic and as he slammed into it, turned into a fine red mist.

"Don't let me stop you now." Sonic winked and vanished again.

You hesitated, still trying to find the words to say. Stop? Tell Sonic this was all a big misunderstanding? That you knew where Kapi wa-

"Well come on! Do something! I'm going to start counting any second." Sonic shouted from somewhere.

You start running, touching the doll to try and comfort yourself. Most features of the land had become glitched. Entire parts of grass were pitch black. It looked like they were moving, like the land itself was unstable. Holes were starting to appear in the ground, peering over them showed them to have reflections of the world. A brief look up shone floating islands and rings fluttering in the air, possibly mirages. You thought you smelled smoke.

There wasn't anywhere to hide. Foliage, flowers and bushes had all completely vanished.

While still grassy, the place was as barren as the tundra.

You barely register Sonic counting down from 30. There was no time to think. It is just a game. Just a game.

Wait. The gun! While running away you check your revolver. Still present. Still loaded. That's when you spot two rocks. That's it! You say a little prayer before you try to enact this idea. Sonic still had a few seconds left.

As fast as you can you take your jacket and throw it behind one of the rocks, just so that it would be obvious. You then run to the other rock and duck behind it.

"...AND ZERO! Here I come!" Sonic said gleefully. You wondered if this would even work. Surely he had to know where you are. This was his world after all.

You stifle your breathing as much as possible. Now not moving you quickly try to think of ways to get out. You'd been in life and death situations before but nothing like this. After a minute, you hear Sonic enter the clearing. There was no footsteps, you only knew his presence by him talking. Maybe if you stood up to him he would falter?

"Where are youuuu?" Sonic questioned aloud.

You hold your breath. "Aha! Huh?"

You rise from your hiding place and aim. Sonic was standing just at the fake rock looking at it. Without saying anything you let off a shot, the sound temporarily stopping all others. It was as if the system itself paused for a second. The music stopped too.

It hits Sonic square in the back of the head and he falls down, unmoving.

Did it work? Hesitantly you get up and stagger towards Sonic. There was no bullet wound on his head but he wasn't moving. Maybe a quirk of the game? You slowly turn him over, just to make sure.

As he lies on his back his eyes fixated on you, smile growing wider by the second. It was ruse.

"What? You thought that could stop me?" He sits up. "Where did you even get a gun? Gimme that."

You stagger back, nearly freaking out. His mitten just misses it.

"Oh, not gonna give it up? You can keep it for now. We still have more playing to do! Let me return that to sender!" Sonic said, reeling his arm back, sending the bullet into your shoulder.

Sharp pain was felt immediately. For a video game it felt too realistic. It felt as if you'd actually had been shot. You nearly fumble the gun.


Now Playing...


Artist:

Vengeur


Song:

Expel Evil


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_U0rqJzKBc


He starts to rise off the ground again.

"You know they thought they could seal me away?" He started to glow a bright red.

"Hid me at the bottom of the ocean. OH pLeAsE!" You notice the rocks around start to rise as well. Your jacket rises with, red glow surrounding it.

"All I needed was one little signal. And some dumb fish gave me DIRECT ACCESS." You had enough listening to Sonic's dialogue and bolt for it, turning occasionally to see if anything was barreling towards you.

"THAT'S ALL IT TOOK TO FREE MYSELF."

"And now here we ARE!" You turn back to see a rock hurdling towards you. You narrowly dodge it and it smashes into the ground.

"Alright. How about this?"

A flower flies past your vision stabbing directly into the ground diagonally. You turn back to see another one aimed perfectly at your back. A tactical roll later it misses you.

You look back again to see what's next but Sonic was gone. You turn front to see Sonic floating above you, possessing another flower. It comes flying towards you. You put your arms up to shield and close your eyes.

"Got you now." He muttered.

But...it doesn't come? You open your eyes to see it stuck in the air, just in front of you.

"Huh?" Sonic looked just as confused as you did.

Sonic raises his arm and you see yourself start to glow red and then stop. You weren't sure what was going on and Sonic didn't seem to either.

"What the?" Sonic raises his hand again, flexing it at you. Again, the same red glow then a puff and it disappears. Sonic's eyes fixate on your lower half.

"Oh. Oh. Oh!!! Fascinating!" He said enthusiastically. He was looking at the doll. He clapped his hands.

"You're a crafty one aren't you? Let's see how crafty you are after this." Sonic falls to the ground.

You take a few steps back. Sonic kneels down on all fours and he starts to spin. He starting a spindash.

You knew enough about the real Sonic to know there was zero chance of dodging at this distance, let alone this speed. Panicking, you blurt out the first thing your mind says.

"I-Kapi!"

Immediately Sonic stops, the whole scene going quiet.

"You can speak?" He said surprised. "You're Kapi?!" He floated up.

"Well I can't waste this. We have a lot do to together. I'm just getting-"

"N-no. I'm with him. I'm not Kapi."

Sonic turned his head slightly. He looked at you as if you were an idiot. "That fool sent someone for him? What a joke. I'm ending this now."

He resumes his spindash, the sound getting more high-pitched by the second.

You start to say that you Kapi sent you, or that Kapi couldn't come or that you barely even knew the cat-boy but it jumbles up and comes out as...

"I need your help!"

Your eyes go wide as you realize what you just said. But, despite that, Sonic stops, starring at you curiously. You couldn't read his eyes.

There was one thing you learned in 'cop-school'. It was to act correct in any situation, even if you screwed up. You had to go along with it. You clear your thoughts.

"I need your help." Sonic just looks at your like you had done something embarrassing. "See?" You toss the gun, hoping the gesture helped.

"Go on~" Sonic's curiosity was replaced with the sadistic smile he had earlier.

"Y-you're a hacker. You know computer ss-systems. I mean you built all this-"

"That's enough foreplay. I don't need to hear how good I am. Now what's this about my help? What was your endgame coming here? You certainly aren't like the last being that entered my realm."

He seemed to be listening more now.

You tell the truth and try to give a quick summary of what had happened with Kapi, the arcade, the hacking and the rest. You change details and state that it was Sonic that was the hacker you needed and not Kapi. You try to keep it simple and watch Sonic closely. The whole time he looked uninterested but stomach full of butterflies you keep your confidence.

"That's the truth."

After the last statement, Sonic's eyes narrowed. He was thinking of something.

"Truth? What? Do you think this is some game? You think I'm bound by some cheap toy? If I slay you here you will die. Now do you wanna tell the truth or not? This is your last chance."

You gulp. You had no idea how true that threat was but your shoulder was still bleeding, even if the pain had gone numb. Same thing with your chest. You decide to heed his warning.

You explain the truth, that Kapi was supposed to be the hacker and that you accidentally blurted that you wanted his help.

"B-but I really can use your help." You quickly add.

"Curious. I want to know more. Tell me everything. Now."

"W-wha-" Sonic tackled you, pinning you. Even despite his size he had no problem holding you down, his shoes resting on your shirt. All you could see were his black empty eyes. Blood was still dripping from them, though not onto you.

"EVERYTHING." He growled, showing off his yellowed teeth.

"A-alright. Alright." You give a condensed version about everything that had happened until that point. The heist, Tabi, your life as a detective, Displo, Agoti and more. Sonic's eyes don't move, nor does the glowing red in them. He doesn't even blink as you try to get it all out. You were on the verge of a panic attack. This was a lot.

"A-a-and that's where I am now."

Sonic vanished off you. He re-appeared in front of you seconds later.

"Cool story bro. But alas, I grow bored of this. You can die now." He rose his hand.

Figuring this was it you take a deep breath and say.

"You can't."

Sonic stops.

"You can't kill me. You're unable to."

"You." Sonic's eyes narrowed. "I can easily take you out. How dare you! You think that doll can save you?" Objects around Sonic started to rise again.

"Do it then. I'm not scared of you." You took another deep breath. There was no plan. If he was going to kill you, might as well piss him off as much as you could.

"You really aren't scared of me?" Sonic asked quieter. You were absolutely terrified but if he was believing you needed to keep up the facade. "That doesn't matter."

Flowers and trees come hurtling towards you and you try your best not to flinch. Millimetres away from your face they stop, only to fall to the ground.

Sonic lets out a huge laugh. "Ah, you."

He lowers himself to the ground, other objects falling in tow.

"It's not fun when they give up."

"Come with me." You say again. It seemed like a monumental request but being so close to the verge of death meant you weren't making rational decisions.

"You know what I don't get? You said they left you alone. So now what? You're gonna put this all on the line for what? Some money? Because you wanna get revenge?" Sonic asks, referring to the heist.

"It's not about the money. It's about the principle. They have to fall."

"Principle eh?" Sonic licked his lips, his smile widening. "I'll join. And I'll see your principles to the end. I wanna see you holding the axe when you take them out." He said sadistically.

He raised his hand out. Cautiously you shook it. It felt as if you were doing a deal with the devil. You gulped, hoping this was a good idea. Kapi was so going to get a thrashing for this.

"You're lucky Tails vouched for you earlier."

"Tails?"

"Yep. Right there." He pointed at the doll still attached to your belt. It was real? Hand shaking you pet it, you hear some rumbling emit.

"So..uh, what now? How do we leave?"

"We? Good choice of words." Sonic said. You make a mental note to watch what you say around him. He had a detective's perception. "How can I get you out?" You add, hoping he appreciates it.

"I'll let you check your options. You should be able to leave now."

You check your wrist. Sure enough the options weren't corrupted. The possibility of double-crossing Sonic crosses your mind. You decide against it. While he seemed like a full-on psychopath you figure having him on your side was better than nothing.

You decide to ask the question before he can.

"If I let you out, how do I know you're not gonna betray me?"

"You won't." Sonic said in-between laughs. "That's the best parts of this transaction."

You hesitate to respond. Sonic clearly didn't like that as it jutted in instantly.

"You don't have another way out do you?" You ask.

"It's better you don't know." Sonic said. It could have been a bluff but it wasn't one you were going to risk taking. "You will let me out." He said.

"About that, how do I do that?"

"You keep the system live. I'll give you a series of commands to enter." Sonic grinned.

You nod at him. "I'll see you on the other side."

"Oh, you will. I'll make sure of that." He said. You gulped, still not trusting Sonic.

With the flick of a few settings the world disappeared, the familiar grid-based horizon appearing again. Now at the crossroads of reality and real life you take off the helmet.

Track 11 - My Unpronounceable Name


"Wha? You can tell I'm not the blue blur? Do you two know Sonic?"


The helmet comes off easy, simply popping off.

"The patient's coming back to us." An unfamiliar voice next to you speaks. Whomever it was gives you a pat on the arm. Eyes adjusting to the darker light of the room you try to look around. You get up, only to be stopped immediately by a sharp pain in your shoulder and stomach.

"Easy there." The unfamiliar voice said. Eyes blinking you see a doctor taking up your field of vision. Nothing but a wall of a white lab coat and a stethoscope.

"I tried to patch you up." He said. Turning elsewhere he reported. "Breathing has normalized, pulse is back to resting." Another voice pipes up.

Patch you up? You take a look down. Your shirt was ripped in the exact part where the bee had slashed. It was covered in a bandage though evidently still bleeding slightly. As it hits you notice a small pain in your leg, just where the crab had poked. And then the shoulder pain kicked in again. Like you had been...shot?

Your jacket was missing and your shirt sleeve rolled up. And just where the bullet had impacted was a bandage.

"H-how the hell..?" You mutter, starting to panic. This wasn't the game anymore, right? You grope for the doll only to find it not gone. That alone provided some relief.

A realization set in. The being calling himself Sonic was clearly more powerful than he looked. You had no idea how such a thing was possible...unless? You check your gun. The action draws a few concerned eyes and the doctor mumbles something to relax. You just inspect it.

It was back to being a 9mm pistol.

This was real life. At least that was a relief.

"A-are you alright, (Y/N)?" A familiar voice finally spoke. It was Displo. Snapping out of your daze you survey the room.

Next to you was someone you'd never seen before. Human and, judging by the lab coat they were a member of IRIS. They had a facemask on.

Looking around were other IRIS operatives, lab coats and business casual wear. A few had notepads and were scribbling stuff down. It looked like they had been...observing you? Was this all a test? Did Displo know? How did I get these wounds? It was just a game. You had a ton of questions to ask.

"Pardon my French (Y/N), but what the hell happened in there?" Displo asked. You finally noticed him, standing on your other side. It seemed like he had been sitting at the computer, a few technies beside him peering curiously at you.

You didn't notice it at first but he had been holding your free hand.

"I-I don't know." You had no idea how to explain everything that just went down. You barely managed to spit that out.

"Did someone break in? How did you get injured?" Displo asked, his usual professional tone sounded a bit more concerned now.

"I don't know. I-I was shot in the game. Robot attacked me. But I don't know how it happened here. Felt real." Nevermind the confusion of waking up to a whole room of people, you were now feeling the whiplash of being in reality now. It felt as if your senses had been scrambled. A headache was settling in as well.

"Would you say your injuries were consistent with the ones in the game?" One of the observers asked.

"Y-yes?" You ask, still confused as to why there was a 'congressional meeting' in the planning room. Upon saying yes, the researcher began furiously writing stuff down. "Displo, what's going on?"

Displo understood how unfair this was and stood up. "Enough questions. Everyone out. We'll resume this later. Allow me to speak with the patient." He commanded, sounding rather cynical.

Without any objection the doctors, researchers and remaining observers left the room.

You take off the gloves and boots.

"What the hell was that all about?" You ask.

"My sincerest apologies. See, the topic of VR research came up during the banquet and one of the technical staff requested to see the machine." Displo looked away, embarrassed.

"I let him and the man came back shaking, claiming you had been wounded. Fortunately we had a member of our medical research team and an overenthusiastic medical intern patch you up. And, well, then it sort of became a whole test session." Displo admitted. He scratched his head, understanding how ridiculous it sounded.

"The lunch rush was successfully handled though." Displo said further, as if that made things better.

"But! I monitor all entrances extensively and we have a strict staff policy. There was no way anyone could have gotten in to attack you, nor would that employee have. She was not armed."

Displo added, voice going to a murmur. "Not to mention we couldn't find the bullet either."

"W-were you able to see anything?" You ask, referring to the VR world you were in. "In the game?"

"I should be asking you that. I, as well as the technical staff could not see through your viewport. It was as if the world itself was encrypted. Only a semi-random patch of static displayed. Whatever you saw, heard and felt could only have been through the set. The technies had said they had never seen anything like it. It must have been a quirk of the machine see.." Displo stopped, not wanting to go off on a tangent.

"Well, uh-" You weren't sure how to explain what happened. Never mind the whole 'nearly died', Sonic apparently had some kind of metaphysical powers if he was able to hurt you in real life. That or the machine did the damage.

"If you do not wish to explain I won't pry. Did you at least deal with this 'Sonic' though?"

Mind snapping back to what Sonic had said before you left you stagger up. "W-wait. I gotta do something."

Displo stopped you, trying to place you back on the bench. "No. On TURINGS. I gotta do a few commands." If Sonic could somehow hurt you outside of the game he'd would be waiting. You push Displo aside and hobble to the machine.

"Are you delirious? Should we check blood signs? They said you lost a little bit of blood." Displo said as he walked closely behind you, ready to catch should you fall.

You pull over the swivel chair in front of TURINGS and sit down. Sure enough, just as Sonic said a message was displayed on screen. It was a series of commands.

"Interesting." Displo remarked as his attention turned to it. "Is this your work?" You don't respond.

"Can you enter these?" You ask.

"What is all this?" Displo asked, studying the code.

"J-just enter it. It's for Sonic." You wanted to say that if you didn't you were screwed but it doesn't come out.

"This will open a remote port on the server that contained Sonic. Are you sure?"

A brief thought occurs that you were in power now. If you wanted to stop Sonic this would be it. Against all better judgement you nod yes.

Then, just as fast as it opened a notification popped up that it closed.

"Well it appears that whatever you did worked. Now, about Sonic. Did you deal with him?" Displo asked, still wondering if you really were delirious.

"Deal with? You can't just 'deal' with me! I'm the number one! NUMBER ONE! AND I'M RIGHT HERE!" Sonic's cheerful voice shouted from your pocket. You jumped upon hearing it, toppling over off the chair, landing onto the carpeted floor. His voice got progressively louder, like he was mashing the VOL UP button. Displo rushed over to where were, helping you back up to the VR bed.

It was your phone. You pull it out of your coat pocket. On the screen lit up was the fake Sonic, in all his demonic glory.

Your phone wallpaper was just of some nature picture you found online of a forest. From within the photo itself Sonic was. He waved at you. Jumping up and pulling the notification bar down. The screen changed to show an active call. The caller read "SON-IC-#ONE" instead of a proper number.

"Thanks for keeping the gate open! Man you have a lot of cool photos on this." The fake Sonic said. He started changing the wallpaper at will.

"Y-you. How?" You ask. It was like he was in the phone, part of the software.

"Well, I've been here for a bit, buuuuuuut I wanted to wait till all those labcoats were gone. Sonic doesn't trust them, so I don't either." Sonic spoke through the phone.

"By goodness." Displo was very curious now. It sounded exactly like the real Sonic. He looked over your shoulder.

"Hey, who's the buckethead? He one of Eggman's goons? I'll take him right out." Sonic knelt down as if he were to jump right out of the phone.

"No-no. He's with me. He's a good guy." You stammer. Between nearly dying in a simulation, being questioned and now the fake Sonic reality warping you were struggling to keep up.

"Hah! We'll see about that!" Sonic said jumping at the phone screen. "Wait!" You quickly move the phone away from Displo.

Your phone and Displo's face both flash at the same time and Displo's posture slumps over. A second later Displo's face lit up again, this time with a red glow and a cartoony image of the fake Sonic on it.

"Hahaha! D-did you think that moving the phone away would just stop me?" Displo laughed, voice sounding more upbeat and evil. He gave you a condescending pat on the head. He stops, leaving Displo's hand on your head.

"You know you were a bit slow entering those commands. You weren't having second thoughts were you?" He didn't wait for a response.

He spoke smugly. "Anyways. I can move through the waves! They're everywhere! You can't see it with your weak eyes but I can see them all."

"Get out of him!" You shout at the abomination of Displo/Sonic.

"Hmmm." A question mark appears on Displo's face. "Huh, this guy really is your friend. I guess I could leave then. You two go way back!"

A second later Displo's face warps back to normal, the usual pattern setting back on his face. Your phone vibrates, indicating that Sonic had returned to your phone.

Displo nearly toppled over, his true self returning to him. You quickly rise to stop him from falling onto the machine, grabbing his shoulder.

He supports himself, hand on you and one of the machine as he boots back up. It doesn't take long for him to fully recover and his screen to light up with the familiar colour pattern.

"M-my goodness." Displo wobbled a bit. It looked like he was panting. "W-what was that?"

"Sorry, usually when I leave others it's to destroy them. I'll figure out how to it more gracefully later." Sonic spoke up.

"Yeah, it's...Sonic? From that world...somehow." You were at a loss for words.

"F-fascinating. May I?" Displo reached for your phone.

He looked at Sonic on the screen who was climbing around the phone app icons.

"What exactly are you?"

"Yea, about that, what can I call you anyways? You clearly aren't the real one." You ask.

"Wha? You can tell I'm not the blue blur? Do you two know Sonic?"

"He is rather famous around here. But no. I do not know him personally." Displo said. Despite the fake Sonic's disturbing appearance and raucous behaviour, Displo was treating him with respect.

"And he doesn't have bleeding eyes or sharp teeth like that either." You chime in.

"What, you don't like it? I'm hurt, really." The fake Sonic said mockingly. "Alright, fine I'm not him. Just a big fan. You two wouldn't be able to understand my real name. I guess....I don't know? What do you call something you can't know?"

"How about X? It's an unsolved variable." Displo spoke up. He spoke familiarly with the illogical creature.

"Ah, I like it! I like it. Bot's got taste. Maybe I should poke around there more. Alright call me X for now. Actually no, S works better since it's like Sonic." S said.

Just as S finished talking the door creaked open. It was one of the technies peering in.

"Sir, is everything alright? I noticed you went offline for a second."

Displo stood up, waving the technie away.

"Everything is fine. Just a minor hiccup."

"Could we continue the questioning now? We have a lot to ask still." One of the researchers peered in.

"Just a few minutes, I have a few more things I need to ask the (Y/N). I will give you the full testimony as soon as I can." Displo said.

They nodded and closed the door, no doubt crowding around it curious as to your outcome.

Displo looked at the phone again. "(Y/N), S, if you would please, explain what happened." Displo took a seat. He placed the phone upright, leaning it against a bowl on the table.

"Yeah, I got some questions too. How are you in my phone?" You finally get around to asking.

"Well you see..." S began explaining. You and Displo learned that he wasn't Sonic but some sort of entity from the cosmos. He took the appearance of the famed hedgehog, expressing an extreme admiration and fervor for the blue blur. He started asking about the real Sonic, Mobius, Eggman, and all sorts of things you didn't care to answer. You cut him off and order him to continue. He became gloom at the mention that Mobius was some other planet, cursing that he crashed on the wrong rock.

You knew nothing of Mobian politics, as did Displo.

Getting back on track he didn't wish to go deeper into the extent of his powers or his origins. You were able to get it out of him that he was bound to some old game console and was subsequently buried in the middle of the ocean. When asked what he did he just said "I was a bad boy." mockingly.

Through a combo of proximity to underground wires plus plate shifting he was able to tether himself to some underground wires and generate enough electricity to connect to VR. He seemed very proud about having established access.

He mentioned something about you not being the first person to join his world. He wouldn't go into detail about the 'others'. He didn't express any remorse, acting like him luring people to do 'stuff' to them was just an ordinary task.

It unnerved you a little but you kept quiet. He took the record of most psychopathic person you'd met recently.

After S had explained his dark and twisted story you gave Displo a brief rundown of what you saw.

"Joined the world, played around, got slashed, got slashed in real life somehow, met S, we fought and uh, now we're here. He shot me and it translated to real life." You shrug.

S explained a small amount about how he was able to harm you in real life but said that such a thing was only possible while you were in his world. "You may be safe out here but the next time you come to my world you will be all mine." He said ominously.

That gave you some relief, though you vowed to never enter a VR chamber again.

"This raises far more questions than it answers." Displo sighed.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" S chimed in. Your phone vibrated as he spoke. You had put it face up on table so it at least looked like he was voice-calling or something.

"What?"

"The whole, heist, rob 'em for what they got, principles, bring the axe down, c'mon..er is he not part of that?" S spoke.

"R-right. Yeah, he's gonna join us. I asked him back in the game."

Displo's head cocked slightly as he considered it. "Interesting." He mused. "I've no qualm against it but are you trustworthy? I am hesitant after what you have just done to me."

S looked down, kicking his feet. "Well, I guess you don't. I forget you people work in absolutes and deals. Tell ya what. As a thank you for freeing me I will assist in whatever way I can. Least until the heist is over. After that...I'll go my own way." He said quietly. Realizing his visage slipping he stood upright and proclaimed. "Until then I am bound to you, what do ya say?" S said mockingly but earnestly.

You look at Displo who just shrugs at it. He wasn't sure what to think.

"Alright deal."

"Awesome!"

"Welcome aboard, S." Displo said.

"Thank you tinman, what are you called anyways?"

"Displo, I am the proprietor of this-"

"Ehn, just your name is good enough. So what now? What am I gonna do?" S said, interrupting the proprietor.

You look to Displo. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Not really, (Y/N)."

"What?" S asked.

"He's our hacker."

Displo rose his head slightly. "Interesting. This would work well in our favour."

"What's that?" S asked.

"We'd need you, when the time comes to break into systems. Basically the same thing you did to me earlier."

"That's it? I can do that no problem. Just point me where and we're good to go."

"Well we aren't doing the heist yet. We still have a lot of planning to do."

"Aw. well. I guess I can wait." S said, bored. He clearly had thought this was gonna be a lot quicker.

"I'm gonna head home, recover from this." You say, motioning to your wounds. "I'm gonna cancel the meeting tonight."

"I am in agreement. Especially on a Friday night, I doubt I would have the time to handle a meeting. Let us meet tomorrow."

"Sounds good. I guess we don't need Kapi then."

"I guess not, though he may be able to serve some other purpose. We shall figure it out tomorrow. Now then, I will go deal with all the researchers."

"Hah! I took Kapi's spot? Awesome. Guy deserves it, tryin' to go against me." S said.

"I will keep S' existence a secret. Rather not deal with what my people would do should they discover S."

"Good call tinman. I don't like labcoats."

"Good then. If you don't mind. (Y/N), S, have a good day." Displo got up and saw himself out.

"You too, pal." S said speaking up first.

You give Displo a few minutes to disperse the crowd outside. With some time to finally think you decide to ask S some questions.

"So you're just gonna be with me all the time now?"

"Not really. You aren't THAT interesting. I'm gonna explore the web. I see so many routes already. Cellular, Wifi, Bluetooth, ZigBee. Man this device is like a level select screen!" S said with glee.

"The web. There's so much to see already! I've only heard about it from other people but I'm curious to see what it has. Maybe scare some people. Y'know. Fun stuff."

You hoped he wasn't going to say that.

"Well be discrete about it. This whole heist thing is supposed to be secret. I can't have you bringing attention to me."

"Ah, you're no fun. Tell ya what, let me look around here." You heard a bunch of dings from your phone. Curious as to what he was doing you look at the screen. He had pulled up your contacts app and was scribbling over one of the entries with a pen.

"Here you go. If I'm not around give this a call or message and I'll be right there."

A distorted phone number was listed there along with a joke photo of S. It was showing a funny face.

A prompt appeared on the phone screen asking if you accept the changes. The only options displaced were yes and YES. S had removed the 'no' button.

A click of the yes button later you decide to get going. S decided he wanted to stick around more, insisting you carry the phone so he could see out the camera. Displo was still entertaining the researchers with answers so you chose to slip out the back.

Having the rest of the day off you start driving home. Best to rest after an injury.

"Hey c'mon, put the phone up. I can't see jack from down here." S complained. To his request to see the town you strapped your phone in the car seat like you would a child. It apparently wasn't high enough.

"Well I can't hold you. There's laws against using your phone while driving."

"So? Just break 'em."

"Yeah, I'm trying not to get caught with stuff." You complain.

You stop at a red. You pop open the console. You figured you had something for this. You grab one of those mobile phone things and jam it into the car vent. Putting your phone in it you raise it up, slightly above the dash.

A honk behind you reminds you that the light has turned green.

"Ah. Much better. I can see so much now!" S said.

You sigh, hoping to not get pulled over for anything.

"Hey, if you're gonna be in there all the time is it draining my battery?"

"Nope. I can recharge it myself. I can generate electricity."

You weren't going to question it but he did say earlier he had powers 'beyond your mortal comprehension'. At least he couldn't hear your thoughts.

You glance over at the phone screen. S was just sitting there through the front camera on the dash looking ahead. Nope, couldn't read thoughts. Thank goodness.

"This whole place is very different from Green Hill Zone."

"Yep, Newgrounds City."

"Cool!"

A few blocks later your phone gets a notification. Figuring it was just S doing something you ignore it. S quickly spoke up to prove you wrong.

"Hey! You got a text from...Tabi!" S said, as if he were your own digital assistant.

"What's it say?"

"What, am I your slave? Check for yourself."

You keep driving, ignoring S.

"Aren't you gonna check it?" He asks.

"No. I'll check it later."

"Well it says 'are you good for tonight'. Oh you're having a date with her? Let me send them a reply."

You grab the phone off the holder. "Woah! I was watching that. What's the big deal?"

"First of all it's him, and don't text him. He's a part of the crew with Displo. I'll message him later."

"Fine geez, you're no fun. Can you put me back?" S asks nicely.

You put the phone back on the holster.

"So can I just tell him that it's off?"

"Are you actually gonna tell him?"

"Of course!"

You sigh. Dealing with S was getting to be a handful.

"Oh! He sent another text. Asking about a cat problem." You guess he was referring to Kapi's problem. Not wanting to explain the whole situation again, let alone trying to dictate that to Tabi you summarize it in one sentence.

"Just tell him that there's no meeting tonight. We'll schedule tomorrow. Stuff came up that I'll explain later."

"Done!"

Worried S didn't actually do it and sent off something worse you pull over when safe and check the phone. Sure enough S did send a message along what you had said.

"What, you didn't believe me? Wow. How could you?" S said, pretending to cry. He was staring at you, watching from the front camera.

"Well, no offense but you seem like quite the troublemaker."

"Humph. Rude. I already said, I'm bound to you for all things this heist."

You still had no idea if you could trust him but it seemed like a safe bet having him on your side. You make up some excuse.

"Okay, okay. I'm just not used to such a...creature."

Eventually you pull in to the driveway. The house was as you left it. S insisted you give him a tour of your house but you manage to get him to calm down, only showing him your living room.

He complains about how boring it looks and jumps out of your phone to somewhere else.

"Oh? What's this?" You hear from the other room. It didn't take a detective to figure it out. He had warped to your computer.

"Ah, you got nothing cool on this. No secret documents. And barely any games. Lemme change that." S trails off.

"I'm gonna take a nap. Don't do anything stupid." You shout to the other room.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." S shouts back.

Glancing over to your room you wonder how exactly you were going to handle this. S was mischievous and while he wasn't a threat at the moment he still worried you. To wield such power over technology was dangerous. What have I unleashed?

There didn't seem to be any way to defeat him, should the need arise. You were just glad that this being decided to make himself like Sonic and not some villain. Never even mind explaining him to Tabi and Agoti, he was going to be something else.

With lots on your mind you crash on the couch, the sounds of games being heard quietly on your computer.

S joined the party!

Track 12 - Saturday's Rush


"Everyone get on the ground."


You took the rest of the day easy. S was content in exploring the internet, leaving you alone. He had left rather abruptly, just vanishing mid-conversation stating he was bored now.

He had commandeered a part of your computer, making a new folder called GreenHillZone with a note telling you not to enter. At first you didn't look but curiosity got the better.

Ignoring it you opened the folder anyways. Present were a few photos of the same VR world from earlier as well as filetypes you didn't recognize. There were also a lot of pictures of the real Sonic. It was slowly filling up with more photos, S collecting them like cards.

Tabi was curious as to your sudden cancellation but acquiesced. You still hadn't figured out how you were going to explain S to the others. You just added that 'Sonic' was dealt with and that he was a handful. You would have preferred to use 'pain in the a-' but S cut you off stating that he in fact, was your new best companion.

With the remaining time in the day you spend it getting a brief checkup, making sure the employee that fixed you up knew what they were doing. They apparently did, the doctor even noting the bandages were above-consumer quality. "Where on earth did you get these?" He asked amazed. You just shrugged, saying it was some medic passing by.

It did confirm every single wound obtained in the game was real. S could hurt you in VR, somehow bending reality itself. They did not locate any bullet fragments in your shoulder however.

Hours later and a good rest it was now Saturday morning. A quick check on the computer indicated that S had returned at some point, a text file on the screen asking if S could have more space. Like earlier he had written in Yes for you but you create a whole new note stating NO. You decline and got to setting things up.

Though it was the weekend you still felt you owed Displo. This ended up being another shift of guard duty.

In the same text file you let S know you'd be at the restaurant. Though with how he'd been you figured he's track you down without the note.

Despite the onset of the weekend the weather outside was miserable. Winds were raging about the city and rain fell at a constant rate. Not too hard to storm, but just enough to signal in April's showers was nearby. It was also cold, not enough to freeze but just enough to be uncomfortable. It felt as if could start thundering any second, the sun hidden somewhere beyond a thick blanket of clouds.

One morning routine later you found yourself at Displo's a few hours from opening.

"Good morning, (Y/N) and S." Displo said happily.

"Morning. S isn't here. He's, I don't know, somewhere else."

"Very well. I'm sure you're aware that we don't open for a bit. Please make yourself at home."

Your phone goes off. Thinking it's probably S wanting something you check. It was Tabi.

im off today should we meet earlier

?

You respond back that you'll ask Displo first.

"You are positively soaked, (Y/N)." Displo began. "Here. I took the liberty of getting this for you. It will make you fit in here better." Displo held a pile of neatly folded clothes. He seemed to have been waiting to give it to you.

"This is...?"

"It is an IRIS standard technical field uniform. STFU for short. It's modified slightly to include my branding. It should fit you just fine."

You take the dark blue clothing. "Thanks. I'll go try it on right now."

Looking over the clothes they were much more professionally made than your current 'detective getup' with a trench coat, buttoned up shirt and frayed tie.

It looked more like SWAT gear and tactical armour than a typical uniform. All it was missing was a helmet. The outfit consisted of 3 pieces of clothing, Thick cargo pants with lots of pockets, a thick long-sleeve vest that appeared to be bulletproof and a thick shirt that went underneath the vest. While it looked to be sweltering and heavy you later found it was much lighter and even cool to wear.

Feeling it over you could tell it was supposed to be bulletproof. It wasn't camouflage but each piece was a dark blue that could have helped hide you. On the back of the vest was instead of IRIS, was written "DISPLO'S" as well as "SECURITY" in bolded text.

In privacy you put it on. Despite its cumbersome appearance it felt fine and even allowed for a bit more mobility.

You'd never done SWAT or armoured assault before if this was what they had to wear you figure it would've been easy. You stash your gun in one of the pockets and go find Displo.

"My my, you look simply ravishing, (Y/N)." Displo said. You swore you even heard a purr, though it was hard to tell. The compliment made you blush slightly.

"Thanks. Hey, about a meeting today, since everyone's off you think you'd be able to meet earlier, instead of tonight?"

"I don't see why not. There are no reservations so I doubt it shall be that busy. Just give me a heads up when everyone is ready. Here are the keys to the room." Displo said, fishing a pair of keys out.

"Sure thing."

"Well, I am off to it then. Good luck 'guarding' today. " Displo nodded and walked towards the kitchen, a kick in his step. Whatever the reason he seemed rather perky today.

There was still a bit of time before the restaurant opened so you go the HQ room. It was quiet in here, having been no activity since yesterday. The VR set was gone, nary a trace it was even here. The table and furniture had all been returned to its proper spots.

You take a seat and check your phone to pass the time. There was still no sign of S sans the broken contact page he made for you. Checking closer you notice the contact page he had defaced was the chiefs. Not a big loss after all.

The kitchen was abuzz with activity. Displo had spent hours compiling the best prep routine and most efficient and smooth way to ensure the restaurant not get over prepared. He even had a litany of backup plans in the event staff couldn't make it.

He was currently doing his daily inventory check, making sure everything was where it was supposed to be. Earlier he took over from a prep cook who had to step out, something about an emergency call. He didn't mind. He always felt it correct to do every job once in a while.

There was not a single part in the job he didn't know how to do or disliked doing. Of course, all paled in comparison to his most enjoyable activity as bartending. It gave him an outlet to speak to customers as if he was one of them and not some faceless worker in a kitchen, or a waiter trying to get a tip. His skill to listen had become even known in the corporation, Displo being a 'cheap therapist' employees could talk to.

With the worker returning, Displo stepped out of the way, allowing them to continue. Onions needed to be chopped and ground beef needed to be moulded.

Music was playing out of the kitchen, an activity Displo had reluctantly allowed. At first he found it unprofessional but after several of the cooks proved to him they would work more efficient, he allowed it.

Though preferring classical music, Displo relented allowing them to play what they wanted. Such a privilege was not allowed to the actual cooks, though none complained. Their work was much more detailed-oriented then prep cooks chopping the same vegetables for the hundredth time.


Now Playing...


Artist:

Slowerpace

音楽


Song:

Pass to Infinity


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkHdUS9FiOw


Figuring it was all set here, Displo returned to the main dining room, taking a stand in his favourite section, the bar.

It wouldn't be till dinner time that it opened but gave him something to look forward to. He called it his 'therapy', not that he needed therapy; the name was just fitting.

The cleaning staff (aka the waiters) had finished cleaning and were playing cards at one of the tables.

It was just down to wait until opening now. While waiting Displo began wiping down the glasses. They were already spotless but you never know. It helped keep his hands busy as he looked around.

He didn't have a phone as such capabilities were a part of him. Checking them, he had a new e-mail. It was a thank you from the IRIS research department for the VR set. It also contained some details about your case, though most were wrong intentionally. S was more of an asset to the team than 'curiosity' of IRIS, Displo had decided. The injuries? Merely some untested feature of that VR set. It was up to them to prove it.

Upon giving the researchers your testimony he purposely omitted all details regarding S. If S was going to be apart of the team it would be better if nobody knew about him. Even he wasn't sure how the company would react to a creature like that.

S was strange to him. It was like he had no morals, the way he spoke. Displo hadn't made a full judgement yet but he was slightly concerned. He had spent time figuring out how exactly S made the jump and closed it. Though with how S functioned it was highly likely S could just jump at will, bypassing any security. It put him at the one-letter being's mercy.

Though, now that he thought about on it, the current members of the team weren't the most spotless. S was different however, unpredictable even. He absolutely required analysis but not now. His powers were simply too great to allow anyone to interfere with him.

You had departed from the HQ room, taking up your 'post'. It was a desk in the corner facing the entrance. You took a seat on the chair, reclining on it, holding the table with your shoe to stop it from falling over.

Displo glanced over to your direction. He knew the one thing that the team would need was a test. And he had the perfect idea for one already. Today would be the day he proposed it. He placed

a glass down and started checking the alcohol levels of the bottles.

You glance back, giving a wave to Displo. He waves back and gets back to whatever he was doing.

Still no sign of S. You had texted Tabi that an earlier meeting would happen and he said he'd come round a little after noon with Agoti and Kapi. You still weren't sure how to deal with Kapi. You had your hacker and even though S was uncontrollable he was still on your side. And since S was uncontrollable you worried about having him anywhere near so-called cat boy. After all, he built an entire digital realm to kill him.

In the end you told Tabi to leave Kapi out of this for now. The last thing you wanted was some kind of confrontation between the two. At least until you could get S' actual opinion on Kapi.

Plus, explaining S' existence to two people instead of 3 was much easier.

Eventually the restaurant opens, a steady stream of customers entering. You, having brought a book elected to read that. This job was very hands off, if people needed you they'd seek you out. Looking around at today's clientele you figured it would be easy.

Back to reading then.

You and Displo didn't notice the hours fly by, content in your book and Displo in his service. At one point you got curious and did a quick search of Sonic to see if anything popped out; if S did any mischief. There was nothing of note, though most of the headlines revolved around the ongoing war on Mobius. You had no idea what was going on but the headline mentioned a Dr. Star-something being involved in the conflict. Nothing about a "Sonic imposter raging about the internet".

Looking outside you see a few cars pull in at the same time.

Whatever.

You stop staring off, a tap on the shoulder rousing you from a trance of boredom.

"E-excuse me?" A high voice asks. You turn, it was one of the waiters.

"Yeah? Everything alright?"

"Well it's just that the DVD in Party Room 2 isn't working. Could you take a look at it?" She asked.

"I'm...not a tech guy." You say, a little confused at the request.

"Yeah, but could you take a look anyways? The family in there is getting rowdy."

You sigh. It was like she didn't hear you. It wasn't your problem. You didn't know a thing about this but decide it beats just waiting here. Displo was nowhere to be seen either.

"Alright. Let's go." You put away the book and get up, stretching your legs for the first time in a bit.

While the restaurant had a confusing appearance there was an additional area to the side for kids and family dining. In this section were a series of 'party' rooms for families and kids parties.

The waitress leads you in to the brightly coloured room. Like the rest of the restaurant it had no set style and stood out. It looked like a daycare with colourful walls, floor, a centre table, TV at the end of it and additional tables covered in presents. It was some kid's birthday party.

All Displo needed was some furry mascot and it could be an upscale Chuck-E-Cheese.

The room had windows for looking out though they were frosted except for two streaks at the middle and the top.

"Ah, perfect. Someone who knows what they're doing." One of the parents said, glaring at the waitress. You just looked at the parent, expressionless.

"So, what's wrong with it?" You ask. It was just a black box displaying the current time. The TV was blank.

"Well it's not working. Isn't that obvious?" The parent shot back. The kids in the party were off in the corner of the room playing with some toys. They were hardly interested in whatever was supposed to be on the screen.

"See?" The parent pointed the remote at the TV pushing a bunch of buttons on it. "Can't you tell it's broken? This is simply unacceptable." The parent was starting to get on your nerves.

You wondered if calling S in would help. No, he'd probably start scaring them all.

You inspect the back of the DVD box. A few cords were unplugged. Unsure what any of them did you plug them back in. While nothing changed on your side you hear some sort of static as you plug them in. You push a button on the TV, turning it on. Displaying was the DVD menu, some sort of slideshow present. The Play button was highlighted on the menu.

Still unsure what the problem even was you shrug.

The parent frustratingly pushes the play button to try and get it to work, nothing happening. "This is just unacceptable."

"May I?" You take the remote from the parent. She just sighs audibly. You say nothing, less you get in trouble with Displo or worse.

You push play on it a few times, nothing happening. Just a blank screen with a DVD logo bouncing around.

Turning around you check the remote. It had no batteries. Another sigh. The waitress had been standing beside you. You hand her the remote. "It just need batteries."

"O-oh! I'll go get them right now." The waitress said, eagerly leaving.

"Humph. Glad someone know what they're doing here." The parent said to you.

With the waitress gone the parent decided she had enough and started pressing the play button on the DVD wasn't working either.

A bit of troubleshooting later you and the parent find out she had not even put in the DVD. One embarrassed 'sorry' later she started herding the children to watch. The picture on the screen was of one of the children. You presume it was the birthday boy.

A few minutes pass with no sign of the waitress. You just waited around playing with your phone, the parent getting more frustrated by the second. The parent further complained that she needed the remote to pause at parts, refusing to manually push the button. "I am not some peasant who is going to stand here pausing it like a two-bit teacher!"

"Are you a cop?" A young voice says from below. It was one of the kids, an innocent look on his face.

"No. I'm just security here."

"Do you have a gun? Can I see it?" Another kid runs up to ask.

"No, it's only for emergencies."

"Do you have a gun like the guys outside?" The first kid asks.

Thinking they were referring to the cops you say yes. They all respond with a chorus of "where is it" and "are you hiding it"? Even further confused you ask what they mean.

"The ones out there. They look like you!"

You look around, one of the other parents had stepped in to stop the first one from making a scene.

The kids were all looking through the clear streak in the frosted wall. Whatever was going on out there had all their attention.

"Mom! Mom! You gotta see this." One of the other kids had run up to the parent, tugging on their dress to get attention. He was referring to whatever was going on outside. The other parent just shooed the kid away, uncaring whatever was going on outside.

Worried now, coupled with the fact the waiter hadn't returned for some time you go up to the wall. Kneeling beside the kids you peek out.

You had to do a double take what was seen.

From what was seen the restaurant was embroiled in some kind of hostage situation. At least, that was your first impression.

Soldiers dressed in similar tactical gear were standing amongst the tables. They wore helmets, visors and carried assault rifles. They wore all black, almost like you'd seen SWAT teams, though these people didn't appear to be cops.

There was some kind of logo on the chest area but it was too small to identify. Whoever they were, meant business. The entire restaurant was being held up.

But, despite the severity of the situation several tables were still eating though with concerned looks on faces.

The atmosphere looked tense but it seemed the restaurant was still functioning. All of the waiters were just standing by the bar, looking a little scared but otherwise not moving. The ones that were immediately resumed their position after delivering what they needed.

Food still looked to be coming out of the kitchen.

Whatever was going on here wasn't some plain robbery. The customers weren't harmed. They weren't the target.

You had the benefit of surprise as no soldiers paid attention to the party rooms. None had even taken stock of them. Either that or they simply didn't believe a threat could be there.

From your limited view you guess you guessed there were about 6 armed units. One of them was standing near the entrance watching it closely. He was on the phone with someone, as evident by the communicator next to his ear.

You were outgunned and outmanned. Not to mention starting a firefight among the customers was a terrible idea.

"Everyone on the ground." You say sternly.

The first thing you do is get the kids away from the window and clue the parents into what's happening. You tell them to stay on the ground and be quiet.

Looking out the window again you try to think of a plan. There wasn't any conventional thing you could do and if this was some sort of hit you'd be just in trouble. There was also no telling if this was the family, cops or something else. You'd never been in this situation before, you were struggling to come up with what to do.

You shoot Displo a text asking him what the hell was happening. He replies back instantly.

"The sooner you can get over to the kitchen the better." It read.

"Are we gonna be okay?" One of the kids whispers to you. They had crawled to your side.

"It doesn't look like a robbery or anything. We should all be fine. Just keep quiet."

"Are you gonna save us?"

"You'll be alright. I swear on it."

"Please do." The kid crawled away.

You get a text, the sound nearly making you jump.

It was some spam message, probably a scam.

Wait, that's it! You unlock your phone, scrolling through the contacts. It was time to see what he could do.

You call S. It doesn't even ring before it picks up, your phone vibrating and the screen turning progressively darker.

"I have arrived! And this better be good. I was in the middle of, uh, reading. Yeah." S groaned. You look at the phone. A portal appeared within the phone, S jumped in, knocking aside all your app icons.

"Well,

what's up?" S asked with cheer.

You still weren't fully used to dealing with S. You turn the phone to look out the window. "Look."

"Wowzers. What did you do?"

"I had nothing to do with this. I just need to get to the kitchen. Anything you can do?"

"Of course I can. Watch this!" S spin dashes out of your phone only to crash back into it as if he was thrown back.

"Wow. These guys mean business. Can't access any of their devices."

"Were you able to see who they are at least?"

"Nope."

"There nothing you can-"

"Shush. I don't need your suggestions for this. Lemme see..." S said.

"Well I can see through the cameras. There's some big dude talking to the tinman. Looks like he's made of clouds or something. I get a bad vibe from him, moreso than me of course."

"There's....1234..8 people. Big dude, bunch of guys out here and 2 around the back looking around. Can't tell who they are though."

"Anything else?"

"Aha! I got it!" S shouted through the phone. "One of their cars is open. One little push and I can ram it into the place! What do you say?"

"Absolutely not." The last thing you needed was S destroying the restaurant.

"Aww, c'mon." He turned to you in the screen, giving off puppy dog eyes. "What if I just ram the other cars? You don't care about some puny machines? Can I just destroy those?"

"That...would work. Alright. Go for it, just don't hurt anyone."

"Sweet." S rubbed his hands in anticipation. "Time for a little demolition derby." And with that S jumped out of the phone.

You couldn't get a good look from your vantage point or hear the commotion but whatever S was doing out there worked. It caught the attention of the guards almost instantly, all of them running outside to witness S' rally.

You count them off, all but the 2 guards S said were in the back were out of the store. You tell the kids and parents to stay put and bolt out the door. Stepping out now you hear gunfire as well as several loud crashing sounds. A brief look outside showed the cars swerving to hit the guards, taking care not to hit the restaurant.

You draw your gun instinctively and make for the kitchen. The commotion had attracted several of the customers as well, who had gotten up and looked at the entrance. Nobody cared much about you, probably thinking you were one of the hostage-takers.

The circular window on the kitchen door didn't give any indication. Peering in you just saw some white thing blocking it.

As quietly as you could you pull the door back and enter the kitchen. You could just barely see Displo in front of the massive man you were currently behind. You had your gun raised, just in case. He looked to be taking up the hall with how wide he stood.

"I won't ask again." The man said ominously.

He was an absolute monster of a man, shoulders wider than the door, standing taller than you. He wore a snow white tuxedo and had a lion's mane of silky white hair atop his shoulders. It spilled over his shoulders concealing them. It puffed up, almost like a cloud, as S had said. You couldn't tell what he was, human, alien, anthro.

"And I have said. I am not in possession of this object of which you speak." He spoke with a hard and commanding voice. There was not a shred of doubt in his speech.

The chefs and kitchen workers were still cooking, though with worried expressions. Though not the targets, they were still intimidated by this man's presence. A few glanced in your direction, seeing you enter.

"Ahem." The monstrous man cleared his throat. "If you want to take that shot you best not miss. Otherwise, I will make sure it's the last shot you ever make."

You flinch your gun slightly. You look at Displo, Could he have seen you in the reflection? Or maybe he just knew from the chef's glances.

"Lower your gun before I make you lower it." You take a step back before lowering it completely.

The business man took a step to the side, looking at you now. He clothes were snow white, sans a black tie, buttons and frosted outline. Looking at him head-on you still were unsure of what he was. His 'lion-mane' completely covered his head, his eyes and mouth at the forefront of it. It was as if a cloud was in a suit. S had the best description so far.

He just looked at you with disdain, at least you think. His eyes were slanted and pure black, looking as if they were one with his eyebrows which twirled as they extended upwards.

"Hmph. I see your dog has arrived." He spat with disgust.

"You will not refer to my companions as dogs. Thank you."

"And you. What of my soldiers?" He asked you.

"They're outside."

Your phone vibrates, you ignore it ready for any sudden movements. It was probably just S returning.

The cloud-man looked back to Displo. "I'll consider this check. But do know this is not over, I hope you understand. I will find it, by hell or high water."

Dislpo said nothing as the cloud-man spoke. The large man turned to you.

"Humph. You reek of eldritch energy. I don't know what kind of operation you are running here Displo but I advise against it. The next visit won't be so friendly." He said, sternly. Though his eyes were obscured you could feel him glare at you.

He gave one last nod to Displo and stepped out, his presence practically forcing you to stand aside.

"And what of my customers then? You can't just barge in and ruin my lunch. I have appearances to maintain." Displo said suddenly. His voice creaked upon speaking, anxiety rippling through. It was as if coil whine gripped his voice.

Without as much as an acknowledgement the man just said. "Forward it to accounting. I will deal with whatever monetary loss you think you may have acquired. Until next time, Displo." He said coldly.

With that the intimidating man left. You watched him to the entrance as he departed, having now to deal with whatever S had done. By the lack of car crashing and gunfire you figure S had stopped.

He walked with his hands behind his back, jet black gloves covering his fists. He walked with upmost authority, not paying any attention to the customers. One of the remaining soldiers opened the door for him.

Returning to Displo he had slumped over, shoulders falling and catching himself on the kitchen countertop. A few chefs were beside him in awe.

"I can't believe you did that, sir."

"How the hell did you stand up to that guy?"

"Wow boss. That was awesome."

They continued showering him in compliments, in awe at his non-wavering attitude. You go up to him, preferring to see if he was okay.

"You alright?"

"I will be. Thank you for getting here. How did you get-Nevermind. Give me a rundown later. I need to go deal with the customers. Can you meet me in the safe room in a few minutes?" Displo sounded out of breath and relieved. He had lost the usual posh inflection he had and was speaking normally.

"Sure thing."

Track 13 - The First Team


"Very good, everyone. This will be a fantastic debut."


You take your leave, Displo clearing his throat and following behind you. As you reach the dining room you hear Displo make an announcement about all meals being comped and that the kitchen would be bringing the food out as soon as possible. You had to hand it to him, he was a businessman first and forthright. That got you thinking though, who the hell was that earlier? You didn't get a good look at the logo. And what did he want?

All you knew for certain was that they weren't cops.

The saferoom was as it always was, spick and span, clean.

You take a seat at the edge of the table and put your phone up against a bowl sitting up.

The screen lit up. Just as you thought, S was there, sitting amongst the various app icons. He had changed your wallpaper again, now to the ceiling of some church. S sat on one of the archways in the ceiling, looking down at you. He had a malicious grin.

"Good work, S." You began. "What did you do anyways?"

"Oh, I just started smashing up all their cars. They thought it was some guy in the car driving, shot up their own rides, ahahah, shot each other." S was beaming with happiness. He was still bleeding from his eyes and baring his fangs. Though he was happy, it didn't make him look any less demonic.

There was a text from Tabi saying he and the others would be there soon. But just as it appeared, S stood up and kicked off-screen.

"Who was that guy anyways? I watched him through the cameras. Strange guy." S asked as he kicked his feet looking down. He was staring out of the frame somewhere.

"No idea."

"Y'know he could sense me, right? I could feel him looking at me." S said. So that's what he meant by the 'eldritch energy' line,. "Creeped even me out!"

"You didn't find anything in their cars as to who they were?"

"Nope. And their phones were all blocked too. Just looked like random data to me. It was nothing like your computer." S yawned. "You keep them away from me, or it'll get violent."

"Well, whoever they were, I didn't recognize the logo."

"That man. Was Updike, one of the chief presidents of The Greater Good corporation." Displo declared as he entered the room. He sighed as the door closed.

He had his hands behind his back, walking as a butler were. But, as soon as he plopped down in the chair he relaxed, shoulders slumping.

You turn the phone so that S could see Displo.

"You doin' alright?" You ask.

"I am...adequate for now. That was just rather tense for my liking. I have appearances to keep up, and all that."

He had let drop his professional look, even lowering his shoulders so he back wasn't straight. "Despite his massive attire, he is surprisingly nimble. Even did professional ballet, he told me once."

"He may look like a meathead, but he is one of the most dangerous people I am aware of."

Displo looked at S and you. "Thank you for showing up as you did, and you S for smashing up their cars. You hit a few civilian cars but TGG will be paying for the damages, so I care not."

"Well, any time you need anything destroyed, give me a sh-Huh. Guys, I'll be right back! I can't miss this!" S said suddenly. You phone vibrated a bunch and knocked over. When you go to pick it up, the screen has gone black. S had disappeared. There was a note on the screen that read "be back soon, I can't miss this new episode." Unsure what that was all about you pocket the phone.

"Is the restaurant going to be alright?" You ask.

"Yes. I'll bill them for all the food and damages. They will pay it. Helps avoid bringing the law into this." While speaking Displo looked directly at you, the patterns in his face flickering a certain way. It almost looked like interest in a strange way.

Displo sighed. "(Y/N), I don't mean to trouble you further, but my back and shoulders tend to lock in during such confrontations. Could you massage them, please?" Displo asked.

"How does that work? Aren't you, like, all metal?" You ask.

"There were some things within me that were made more realistic to assist me in running my business, though I think it to be an excuse for faulty engineering. If you find it too awk-"

"No, no it's fine. Here." You get up to walk to Displo. He gets up as well, moving the chair backwards before sitting backwards on it, hands around the backrest.

Displo did appear slightly hunched, the way he sat. You weren't really a masseuse at all but had a general idea of what to do.

"Thank you, (Y/N)."

Even through the black vest he wore you could see the outline of his shoulders. The back of his head looked like you would have guessed a TV would. There were various buttons and ports, unknown of if any of them would actually do anything. The shirt he wore covered the back of his neck though you could see some wires there.

"You gonna be good for the meeting today?"

"I will. I have big news."

You place your hands on the back of his shoulders. They felt hard, but strangely warm. You had expected it to be colder, with him being a robot. It felt strangely human-like the way it compressed when you pushed down into it.

As you kneaded your hands into Displo's shoulders you encountered a bit of resistance. Unsure if that was intentional or the way he was built you push harder into it.

"T-thank you, (Y/N)." Displo said, stuttering. It looked like it was working. Displo slumped lower, relaxing more in the chair. It was like he was in bliss, the way you were grabbing his shoulders.

To prevent this being any more awkward than it already was you decide to ask about earlier.

"So, what's the deal with TGG?"

"It stands for The Greater G-good. T-they're a paramilitary organization. S-specializing in the 'paranormal'." Displo said. You were fully into the rhythm now, moving closer to his neck, the resistance in his shoulders gone. This was much easier than you thought.

"Officially, t-they're a tech and 'legal solutions' company, but they hide a lot."

"So, they're like you guys then?"

"I-in a way. We'd never do something so stupid as hold an entire restaurant hostage, but I guess you could s-say we're like them. We have similar goals and we-"

"It's just a joke." You move to the top his arms. He offers little in the way of resistance, being practically moulded by you now.

"Y-yes."

"So, what brought them here?"

"They were looking for the set from yesterday. Apparently when it connected to the internet it 'phoned home'. Don't know why they cared about it. The machine is years old."

"Well you better make sure-"

"Yes, yes. Security knows. They wouldn't make a mistake like that. Could you go to my neck? I think that's where the knot is."

"Sure thing." There was a bunch more pushback around his where it met the shoulders. It was much harder than his shoulders. You still had no idea if that was armoured or not but since he hadn't complained yet you figure it was the former. You had to put your elbows into it.

"The man was Updike. One of the leaders of The Greater Good."

"Leaders? And what is he exactly?"

"I am not sure myself. I know he is likely not human or anthro though. There are two others that rule in unison. They are Abott and Sterling. I know nothing about them.""Any idea what they're opinion on the family is?"


"Ha." Displo said weakly. "If you're considering recruiting him, do not waste your time. It is very unlikely any of my superiors would approve." Displo paused as you pressed harder."But to answer your question I presume they hates them. His organization tends not to like those kinds of creatures. They are far more radical than we are. One of them is an angel I believe."


As you brushed the back of his neck you felt a bump, or something protruding from the back. Pushing on it slightly did nothing. You guess it's not a button. Putting more force on it the bump goes right back into place.

"Aaahhh." Displo quivered. He nearly jumped upon the press.

"T-t-that was it. A-aahh." Displo breathed a sigh of relief. The bump smoothed right now.

"That should be good enough. (Y/N). If you ever want a career as a masseuse, I can easily make that happen. After all this is over of course."

"Thanks, Displo." You let up from him. He gets up and re-adjusts the chair.

"So they're a bunch of religious nuts?" You ask.

"I wouldn't say that. I have no idea if Updike is religious." Displo paused. "I believe I owe you an explanation as to what exactly my company does. I know you investigated us, but I doubt even you figured our true goal. Us being a tech company itself is a masquerade. We do have various programs but alas, we have a deeper purpose. IRIS and TGG, we are 'paranormal investigation corporations'. We specialize in cases where police action is not enough. We study unusual and strange creatures and beings. TGG refers to them as 'abominations' but don't use such language. S would be a perfect example of the kinds of beings we go after. What separates us however, is that while we believe in study and mitigate, TGG believes in capture and destroy. Far more dangerous, and in my opinion unethical."

"Do Tabi or Agoti count like that?" You chuckle.

"Tabi is human though his appearance would be suitable to count. Agoti as well. He is not a normal creature."

Displo felt the back of his neck.

"But alas, Agoti is a law-abiding citizen, as is Tabi...sometimes. So long as they abide by the law and do not engage in 'anti-social behaviour' we won't need to intervene. And even then, we tend only to target if absolutely necessary." Displo shifted in his seat.

"They aren't causing mayhem, nor do they have some incomprehensible morality. So we wouldn't investigate them unless personally asked. TGG however, the moment something unusual occurred they would track them down to the ends of the earth. If Tabi or Agoti were to even, go near TGG's headquarters they would have an entire team observing him from afar."

"I see. Better we avoid them then."

"I agree. My superiors consider TGG our rivals in business. There are rumours they have a prison of such 'strange' creatures. That is something even we frown upon."

Thinking back to your days as an officer you recalled seeing something about 'Anti-Nominal Cases'. It was what the computer called it. At the time your commanding officer just said that you'd know what it meant if it ever had to be evoked.

Thinking back, you realize it must have meant calling TGG/IRIS.

"It looks like we still have some time before the rest of the crew arrives. Let me get you something to eat. It will be on me. I shall add it to Updike's tab." Displo said happily.

"Sure."

"Very well. Wait right here. If Tabi and co arrive, text me. I will get something for them as well."

Displo nodded at you and departed.

There was still no sign of Tabi and Agoti, or even S for that matter. You check your phone. On it was the same note from before. You notice one of the apps were running in the background. It was a news app. You click to open.

Displayed in front was some newspiece abut Sonic. S was sitting in front of it, watching it as a kid would watch the TV, leaning back with his hands on the ground supporting him.

You decide not to bother him and put the phone away.

Minutes pass as you were left alone, resuming your reading. But just as you could, S spoke up.

"You should put a Sonic sticker on your card. Here, I'm gonna order some." S said out of nowhere.

"Wha? How would you even know what my car has?"

"I watched you park in your cameras. And I checked other angles when you were out." S grinned.

You silently sigh. What have I unleashed? "I'll think about it." You say, hoping to keep S complacent.

"Oh! Ad breaks over!" And just as quickly as S interrupted your reading he was gone, back to watching the news.

"Just you huh." Someone said. Looking up, it was Tabi and Agoti. They were dressed the same as always, hoodies and jeans. Behind them was a waiter. The rain must have picked up since the tops of their clothes appeared damp. The waiter closed the door as they entered, leaving themselves.

"Hey guys." You stand up to greet them.

"What is with the get up? You're dressed like a soldier." Tabi asked.

"Just a new uniform. Displo got it for me."

"Nice. Hope we get one too. Yo. What's with all the destroyed cars out there? Looks like a tornado hit the place." Agoti said.

"It's a long story. Oh, Displo's making us food, on him. You guys want anything."

"Ehn, I'm good. I just ate." Agoti said.

"You?" You ask Tabi.

He looked away. "I, uh, I'm good." He said quietly, avoiding eye contact. "It's free. Displo's in a good mood." Tabi didn't respond. He looked hungry, so you just take it a yes. You shoot a text to Displo to make him something too. It's not like he was going to pay for it anyways.

Intros out of the way you, Agoti and Tabi take a seat.

"So how did it go with Sonic?"

"Yeah, about that. I don't think we're gonna need Kapi now."

You open your phone to find S. He was nowhere to be found.

"Why is that?" Tabi asked.

"Just hold on." You scroll through your contacts to find S but the cursed contact was gone too. Looking at recent apps you notice the news app you were looking at was gone as well. It was as if he was never in your phone. Had he left? Did you imagine the whole thing? No, that's impossible. You still had the wounds to prove it.

"Huh, never mind. You said Kapi was still good-"

"Woah! Woah! Alright, alright. It's not funny now." S shouted from Tabi's direction. Tabi, dumbfounded, pulled the phone out of his hoodie to see the screen lit up. But as soon as he looked at it the screen darkened.

S had jumped. "Your too slow!" He shouted.

"What about you? Oh, you must be the one they call Agoti!" S said sarcastically, his voice now emitting from Agoti's pocket. "And looking at the contacts, you have this guy listed as 'best friend'. Little weird to put that but whatever."

"What the hell?" Tabi muttered.

Agoti pulled his phone out, only to have the same thing happen. "Almost! You guys gotta be faster." S had jumped again. S jumped to yours which lights up on the table.

You check it but he jumps back to Agoti's as he speaks.

"Wait why can I port into you? You don't look like a robot. Did-you-Did you eat a genesis? The hell is wrong with you!" S said, disgusted as he warped again.

You instinctively check yours next, expecting S to make some snarky comment but the jump never comes.

"AhaAHH, sO cLoSeee, woooah." The TURINGS machine sprang to life, S' voice sounding wonky.

"WoAh, uHHH, AHeM. Wow, this is weird to control." S said, voice wobbling as he got used to it.

Mystified but still curious Agoti and Tabi walk up to see the computer. You followed them, readying an explanation. You would've preferred you introduce him, but it seemed like S didn't much like doing things that way.

"Is it any different from my computer?" You ask.

"Y-yeah. I tried piloting one of rObOTnik's machiNES, same deal. I. I think I got it now. Woaaah."

The monitor flickered on, S present on it. He was looking around, fascinated by the tech. "Man I thought your computer was cool but this! It's like the death egg zone in here!"

Noticing that Tabi and Agoti were looking he quickly struck a pose. Blood was still visibly dripping from his eyes into a puddle below. His yellowed teeth flashed a full grin. You weren't sure if he was trying to appear cool or threatening but he looked terrifying.

Tabi and Agoti just looked at him slack-jawed, then at each other. Then at you.

"This is Sonic, or S as we decided to call him. He is our hacker." You try to put a little enthusiasm into it.

"Thanks, (Y/N). That's me. S. Hahaha!" The screen glitched as he laughed. "That's my name! Don't wear it out!"

Tabi and Agoti give you a confused look. You shrug. "We met in VR, he's uh, very persuasive."

"Wha, you don't like me?" S asked, slightly annoyed from their reactions. You couldn't tell if he was serious or not.

"I see you've two have met S." Displo said, entering the room now. The three of you look back. Displo was holding two plates of food, steam slowly rising from them. He was also holding something under one of the plates.

Carefully he set the plates and the object down. It was a laptop. Next to it were two plates of spaghetti alfredo with shrimp and a small sprinkle of basil. It looked simply divine.

"We have a lot to discuss, all of us." Displo opened the laptop. It was a generic machine. He put it at the corner of the table, facing everyone. "S, if you will."

"Oh, sweet. You got me my own space? Wow, thanks D." With the flash of the TURINGS machine S transferred to the laptop.

Tabi was a little apprehensive about the food you got him, but you insisted, stating that you could tell he was hungry. You noticed quickly that he only ate when nobody was looking in his direction, often quick and pursing his hoodie together. At first you thought he was choking but a flash of smile indicated otherwise. He was just a really private person. You guess. The tugging of his shirt you guessed was either because it was loose or habit.

You asked him if he was okay to which he said he was fine, shamefully. In the end, he devoured the whole plate, quietly thanking Displo.

With everyone seated and satiated, Displo began. He held a remote that controlled TURINGS from afar.

"In order to properly pull this off we need practice. As well, we also need a team." Displo began. A hologram was displayed in the centre of the table that showed the rough outline of the city. S didn't care to watch it through the laptop and instead transferred right into it, walking around as a hologram and inspecting it.

"(Y/N) already knows what pentesting is but have the rest of you heard the term?"

None answered. Tabi and Agoti just shook their heads.

"Well, simply put, it's an exercise in which a group will attempt to break into an organization. A mock heist if you will."

"What are you saying, we're already going to-"

"Please let me finish." Displo said, cutting off Agoti. "The purpose is to simulate a real intrusion and how teams could manage it. Yesterday, I proposed the idea of 'pentesting' my superiors. They loved the proposal, and it will give us good practice for the real thing. Additionally, you will all be paid. We shall be this threat group. In short, we shall conduct a pentest against IRIS."

Displo looked at S. "At least, those that can get paid will."

"Hey, I have stuff I want too!" S said in protest.

"Very well."

"So let me get this straight, we're gonna break into your headquarters and your gonna pay us to do so?" Agoti said, unsure. It sounded almost too good to be true.

"That is correct."

"Huh. Well, damn. I'm game. What about you Tabs?"

"I guess. Depends when. I don't think I can get a day off this week."

"Ah, c'mon, you know I can get Dad to get you a day off. 'Specially since we're getting paid. It's not some scheme."

"Humph. Fine."

"I have a question actually." There was something bugging you about the whole process. Two glaring issues.

"If they know we're coming, won't they be ready? The security teams. And won't they call the cops if things escalate?"

"Only the managers will be aware of this excursion. They will be absent during the event. For the few managers due present that day we have made sure they won't intervene or will all go to lunch at the same time."

Displo flicked a switch on the remote changing it to a closeup of IRIS' headquarters. A skyscraper that looked unreal through the render. S pretended to climb it.

"This will be a test to the teams themselves without manager interference. And as for police, that won't be necessary. We tend to avoid using cops, no offense, (Y/N)."

"None taken. Does that mean your guards are armed then?"

"Rubber bullets. But they wouldn't be so foolish as to actually open fire on IRIS grounds, unless we're armed but that won't be necessary. The intention is to do this without bloodshed on our part."

"So, we gotta be pacifists?" Tabi asked.

"Physical violence will be allowed within reason. It is not a wild thought to assume we won't be villains in our big finale. But again, the point of this is not destruction, but intrusion."

"Hehe, can't wait." S said.

"As such we also won't be carrying weaponry. No guns, knives or magic. A good heist can be done without bloodshed."

"Fine." Tabi muttered.

"So when is this gonna go down?" You ask.

"Barring uncertainties, Wednesday. That shall give us 4 days to plan and practice. We need to prep for it."

Tabi rose a question. "When is this happening?"

"A little before lunch time. I estimate around 9 to 10 AM."

"Why so early? We're not gonna get the Family in the day."

"Well this is merely a test. Plus doing it during the day should be more difficult. It will give us better practice."

"I guess." Tabi grumbled.

"Well, let's get started then. Everyone on board?" You say.

There were no objections.

"Very good, everyone. This will be a fantastic debut." Displo nodded in agreement.

Using the maps, you and the others get planning. Because he would get recognized, Displo was ruled out as entering directly. By providing recon and obtaining the maps his role was considered filled.

You noted that at some point the group would need some serious surveillance, or at least the floor plans of the compound. Note taken, the plan began to formulate.

IRIS consisted of two office skyscrapers, connected via a path on the 10th floor. Each building had their own security team concentrated in the centre floors of the buildings.

All attempts at property damage were ruled out. "This is not a takedown, but a simple break-and-enter." Displo had said. A note made that during the real heist, damaging the place would be allowed.

With Displo out that left you, Tabi, Agoti and S as the 'agents'.

Displo said the immediate goal of this test would be to reach IRIS' inner sanctum, an area off limits to all except specific researchers. The areas network was air gapped and not connected to the internet at all. To S' disappointment this meant he couldn't just jump in and open doors for everyone.

Agoti proposed that someone 'run' S in and once he was in the sanctum get what we needed.

S proposed that he just jump around the network till he find someone entering but Displo shot that down stating that aside from a physical check and device scan before entering that the 'sanctum researchers' weren't known to the general staff, operating almost independent of IRIS. "Very few go in, even fewer go out." He had said.

That both scratched off a possibility and raised one. "If nobody knows who the researchers are, whose to say we couldn't pretend to be one?"

"What? You seen the way I look? I'll get spotted instantly." Tabi said, shooting down your proposal. "And I'm practically famous. There's a chance I could get seen too." Agoti said.

"You look fine, Tabi. If anything, it should help you since the company has all sorts of secrets. They'd probably think you're one of them...But Agoti has a point."

"Pfft. You won't get recognized by a bunch of pencil pushers." Tabi said, snickering at Agoti.

"I guess I could try." You offer.

Tabi shakes his head. "You'd get spotted for being a cop instantly."

"What do you mean?"

"You got that 'cop' energy. They'd spot you. Trust me."

"Wha?" You look to Agoti who nods in agreement.

"Tabi is right." Displo said.

Notwithstanding you grumble, unsure what they meant.

"Are there any other robots around; what if I possessed one?" S offered.

"I happen to know for a fact there won't be. All of the others like me are on assignment. And it would raise too many questions why one of us would return suddenly." Displo said.

"I got it." You place a hand on the table. "I could easily fit in as security there. What if I got in, then let you guys in?" You suggest. Close enough to a cop anyway.

"Hmm. I think that should work. But even then, we need someone to get into the sanctum. Someone inconspicuous."

There was a silence about the room. It was a team of wayward souls and 'abominations'. Nobody was normal. After a minute Agoti finally spoke.

Track 14 - Cats and Hackers


"And with that Operation Blindside was formed."


You shrug. You knew very little about the guy. "I dunno."

"I guess he could run in S. He's small and agile. Like a cat." Tabi said.

"Woah, hold on, we don't need that nerd." S said, interjecting. He was still on the hologram and he walked right up to Tabi, glaring at him. Tabi paid the monster no mind, not even responding.

"Well?" Agoti asked Displo.

"I have no judgements. I don't know him, but if you say he's trustworthy then I have no objections."

"Hey don't ignore me! You guys don't really know him. He's a grade A jerk!" S protested. He jumped atop one of the hologram buildings, trying to get everyone's attention. He was half the size of it.

"How can you even know that? I bet you don't even know what he looks like." Tabi snickered.

"Well, he beat my high scores."

Tabi just looked to you, giving a hand motion as to say, 'this guy is an idiot.'

"Okay, fine. I don't know him. But he's like Dr. Eggman. My arch nemesis." S said. "I can't work with him! I'm supposed to destroy him, not join him!" S complained, forgetting his current goals.

"I'm sure Sonic teamed up with Doctor, uh, Egghead at some point." You were making stuff up now. You had only a vague idea of who Eggman was. "Just let him join. You're not gonna have a problem with him joining?" You ask.

"It's EggMAN! C'mon, keep up."

"Point still stands."

"Argh. Fine. But I don't have to like him." S said, annoyed.

You almost made a quip about how 'the real Sonic would make friends' but you had no idea the truth of that.

You look to Agoti. "Alright, bring him in."

"I'll text him." Agoti said, pulling out his phone.

A reply came back almost instantly.

"He's at the arcade. Says he's working on his scores. He'll be here in a hour."

"An hour? That's no good. I'll get him here faster." S complained as he sat on the building.

"I-" Before you could finish your thought S was gone. You shrug to the remaining people. It didn't even make sense why he hated Kapi so much. If anything, Kapi was just supposed to be another victim for S.

"He's quite a handful." Tabi said.

"You could say that again. You sure he's trustworthy?" Agoti said.

"And what exactly is he anyways?"

"He's some sort of creature. I'm not sure myself. But yeah, he's trustworthy. Saved mine and Displo's life earlier today. Tried to kill my yesterday. Lives in technology, if that makes any sense."

"I've observed he has a warped moral compass, but he has been respecting boundaries since his introduction."

"If say so." Tabi said, unsure.

You try to give a condensed version of yesterday's battle with S and Updike's arrival. It only left Tabi with more questions such as why he even showed up. This led to you explaining the whole 'stealing a VR set' which Tabi and Agoti remarked as kind of impressive. "Guess you aren't just a pencil pusher." Tabi joked.

"Anyways, back to the plan. I can disguise as security. I have the uniform." You say motioning to your outfit. "I'll just say I lost my ID. I work for whoever the manager is."

"That would be a man named Blake."

"Yeah, so I'll say I'm new or something and that I need to meet Blake. See if I can get into the surveillance room. Then I guess either some of you guys can get in. I'll leave a door open or something.

"The door would be on the right-side entrance, or the west wing. There is a fire exit at the end of that hallway." The building lit up showing the entrance. It was extremely detailed, even showing a few bags of garbage at the end of the alley. "Being a fire exit it opens one-way and will sound alarms if open."

"I can just disconnect it." You had an idea how they worked; door sensor hooked up to a red alarm box.

Displo shook his head. "No need. The sensor only goes off if open for more than 30 seconds. A fixture implemented to allow employees to leave from it."

"I'll make sure we're quick." Agoti said.

"What exactly do I do when I'm in?" Tabi asked. He seemed more interested now. "I'm not going into the sanctum." That much was clear.

"Well that's the sanctum is just the primary goal. If you could steal anything else that would help."

"I'm not a hacker. I don't know much about computers."

"Well, in a real scenario anything would help. Employee papers, payrolls, printed information. A lot of things are still kept on paper."

"Where do they keep that stashed?"

"Fifth floor. HR Department. I am sure you can find something there."

"Among a bunch of pencil pushers? I'll check manager offices I guess." Tabi said, his enthusiasm fading now.

"Hrm." Agoti said.

"What is it?" You ask.

"Do we just need to get to the sanctum? Like if we're going to simulate a real attack don't, we need a getaway plan."

"That is correct. An escape is also necessary. Even if some of the team members get captured."

"Alright, I can be the getaway driver. I do sick dri-"

"Actually, I will be the driver. It is about the least I can do without getting in trouble. Though I do think we'll need a dedicated driver eventually." Displo said.

"Ah, well I prefer being out there anyways. Wait, I got it! What if I caused a distraction? Oh yeah, like all flash mob and shot."

"Hmph. You'd like that wouldn't you." Tabi said.

"Man, don't hate me because I'm more famous than you." Agoti shot back.

"You can do it after Tabi and I are in."

With a flash in the hologram, S re-appeared triumphantly. "Alright. He should be here soon!" S decreed.

"What did you do?"

"Oh nothing." S said, clearly lying. He had the most mischievous smile you had seen yet.

Agoti's phone went off. A few texts having come in. Agoti looked at them and his eyes went wide.

A few texts and variations read: "HES DEAD WHEN I GET THERE." All from Kapi.

"What the hell did you do?" Agoti said, surprised.

"Like, I said. Nothing. Hehe."

You look at Agoti. "He's, uh, coming." The digidevil said.

"So what's off limits for my 'flash mob' routine?"

"..."

"Displo?"

"Oh. Apologies. I was just informing the waiter of our new member's potential arrival. Carrying on...No killing, excessive damage, don't torch the place. Just be reasonable in your judgement. This is my home after all."

"Be a delinquent, not a psychopath." Tabi said succinctly. "That's all I needed to hear bro. I'll put them on a chase. Just rubber bullets right? No lethal crap?"

Displo shook his head. "None. We do not practice such violence. I expect the guards to be a little more hands-off with you anyways, being what you are."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You are a digidevil, are you not? A race of beings that are not human, nor are they anthros. You are what the people in my business call, 'unusual'. Some refer to them as 'abominations'."

"His people are one of 'those' companies." Tabi explained. Agoti rose an eyebrow. "Oh, like that? They wouldn't arrest me right?"

Displo shook his head. "We will have ways of identifying who is on the pentest team. Do not worry. I will personally make sure they make now vile moves against you."

"Gotcha. Oh man, this is gonna be even more fun than I thought."

"Your summoning will be an optional task. We shall save it for a last resort if any of us are close to being caught." Displo added. "There's one thing I think we should bring up. This should really only apply to you and Kapi though." Displo spoke, motioning to Tabi. "While (Y/N) has the uniform already and Agoti will be distracting you two need to blend in better. I can secure lab coats-"

"I'll pass. I'm not a scientist." Tabi shook his head. "I'll pretend to be maintenance. I have high-vis stuff I can wear."

"Y'know I always pictured you as one of those guys. It suites you. Real labour-type." Agoti said, condescendingly.

"Shut up you."

"Hm. That is a good idea actually. I agree with it."

"Yeah, when I'm in surveillance, I'll see if I can find any lost and found or extra IDs for you guys. Alright." You declare. "I think we have a plan then." You write the stuff down, Displo interacting with the hologram as you explain.

The team would arrive in a car parked outside the building mid-morning. Displo would act as the getaway driver and reconnaissance. You were to go in first, pretend to be a new security guard and get into the surveillance room. You were given a fake name and alias to use, and would ask for the manager, Blake. As he would be 'out' they would station you somewhere until he got back.

S, wanting to be included decided he would come with you and see if he could 'destroy' parts of the network. Displo wasn't against that per se but informed him of one piece of the network was off-limits. He said it "Helps me communicate with management. Please leave it alone.".

Once you had a temporary ID and the place to yourself, you'd let Kapi and Tabi in. S would jump to Kapi's phone. From there you'd see if you could be in charge of surveillance and ignore Kapi and Tabi's movements. Maybe grease some hands or tell the guards you had it. Kapi would start making his way to the sanctum.

Tabi would start making his way to the HR department. It was then that Tabi revealed he could lockpick his way in if need. From there he would find a manager office or anything unusual, break in, snatch it and leave. He was given the pretense of a maintenance worker who had to deal with some sign some forms before he could begin his work. If that failed, he was told to make up some excuse about needing floor plans and stuff for plumbing.

While watching surveillance you could monitor who was close to being discovered. If either Kapi or Tabi were close to being suspected or guards deployed, then Agoti would be sent in.

Agoti would arrive and cause a distraction. He was tight lipped about what he wanted to do but assured you that it would draw all security. He said he'd try his best to escape but didn't think he'd be able to get out.

Displo would be watching the main entrance and keep an eye on the alley in case anyone tried to catch you there. He had his car and could easily make a scene with it if he pleased. Worst-case scenario he would arrive back to IRIS' HQ with a 'dire warning'. This would set off alarms and draw all the intention to him.

Once the distraction was active it would be up to Kapi and Tabi to get their stuff and escape. Once ready the 4 of you would make it to Displo where the 'getaway' would happen. No getaway would actually happen but each of the 4 people touching hands on the car would trigger the conclusion and success of the operation.

Displo mentioned there would be some paperwork to fill out, but he would do it. Displo once again brought up property damage. He said that as long as the nobody actually damaged anything that there wouldn't be any issues. He also added that he forgot to mention security teams nor it's manager would be informed of the event. To their knowledge this was a real intrusion.

The only thing Displo couldn't verify for everyone was that if the team was allowed to harm employees. He advised against it from a legal point. Tabi pressed him on it and Displo relented saying "just follow the Golden Rule. If they attack you, fight back. But again, this isn't a raid. It's a test."

During the planning Kapi arrived, furious that S had beaten his scores and tagged his name as Kapi Sucks. He wanted no more than to kill 'Sonic'.

"(Y/N), this is Kapi." Tabi said, motioning to the person behind them. A short, what you think to be an anthro cat. Via text earlier, Tabi advised you against calling him an anthro so you don't make mention of it. He was the shortest of the 3, appearing to be rather young. You shake his hand.

"Hey, names (Y/N), welcome aboard."

"Yeah, yeah, Kapi, DDR king, champion of most arcades around here. Now, where is that loser Sonic? Where's he hiding?" Kapi asked. He seemed full of energy and anger.

"Right here hairball!" S laughed from the hologram. He stood larger, now the size of the IRIS building, but still very small because of the hologram.

"Hiding behind a hologram? You're a joke. Where's he really hiding!?" Kapi demanded. He seemed unfazed by S' appearance, though likely just a by-product of his rage.

It took a bit of explaining but after a strange meeting where S couldn't help but tease the cat-boy you explained who S was. Then as he listened you explained the Crew, who you and Displo were and the test. Finally, he settled down. While S had been hyperactive, you find Kapi to be just as much. S had transferred into Kapi's phone, trying to rile up the boy.

You threatened to delete S' folders as S threatened to destroy DDR, they all finally listening.

As he listened to the plan he couldn't help but interject, questions naturally arising.

"Will I get a disguise?"

"Yes. I will secure a lab coat for you."

"Can I be the getaway driver?"

Displo shook his head. "I am. You are to run S in."

"Yep! You're stuck with me." S grinned.

"Alright, guess I can do that. You better keep quiet though." Kapi said. S just rolled his eyes at the catboy.

He seemed to not have heard his role and looked a bit taken back when it was explained in greater detail.

"So no breaking stuff, fighting, killing?"

"Nope." Displo said.

"Cool."

"Aren't you supposed to be a hacker?" Tabi asked. "Shouldn't this be easy for you?"

"Hmph. It is. I can hack, it's just, this is, uh, different. S is a better hacker."

"Damn right am I."

You notice Kapi shudder at the suggestion. You weren't sure if anyone else picked up on his be the statement made him uneasy.

After listening to the plan and Displo's explanation he had one final question to ask.

"So what happens if we win?"

"Well, there will be a monetary reward and a lot of people will get in trouble. Big trouble considering this would be our first ever pentest. This is practice for the main event, of which you are aware of I am sure."

Kapi nodded. "The Family." He said quietly.

"Nobody here excluding (Y/N) has any experience doing this."

"Ha, sweet. Aight, I'm in. Let's piss some people off." Kapi said happily.

After the kinks were settled, Displo had something to give everyone. A small red flag. He explained that showing this to any guards would signal your participation in the test and that they wouldn't harm the waver. He called it red-teaming. S was a little disappointed he didn't get one and made one himself. You didn't mind, if anything it just made the whole event more game-like.

"Once your flag is drawn you are out. No fighting back, go with whoever you raised the flag to and keep quiet. Officially you are caught. Doing this will also reveal to your assailant that a test is ongoing. They will know that there is a team operating and will become more vigilant. Do this only when there is no way out."

To further drive home the point Displo added. "I should also mention the reward is progressive. If we all get out safely "

"Well it's a given I'm getting out." S said. "No. If you get trapped in the sanctum are counted out. I am the only one who is a given." Displo said, in a rare show of smugness.

There was only one more thing bothering you. How trustworthy S was. Though there wasn't much at stake he seemed like he was going to betray Kapi at the end. You decided to warn him separately later or bribe him. You texted him as an aside to not pull any funny business with Kapi. This was a test, don't get him caught or anything.

"Whatever. I'm not gonna betray you. Totally. I am bound to you. Don't make me repeat it. You should be glad I even let him join, the mangy-"

"Enough."

S stuck his tongue out at you.

And with that Operation Blindside was formed. It was Displo who christened the name, particularly amused at the reference it hid.

With nothing further to discuss you and the others break for the day. You and the others make a plan to meet up each day leading up to the event to ensure everyone is up to date. S and Kapi decided to go to the arcade together, finally ready to settle their rivalry. Agoti joined too.

Tabi preferred to make his own way, mentioning that he had other things to do and had to reclaim the vest. You decided to tag along. It seemed like he enjoyed the company.

Kapi joined the party!

Track 15 - Days Leading Up


"I'm not the most stealthy person. Soon as I enter, I'm going to stand out. If I don't get thrown out immediately."


-- 4 Days till Blindside, Sunday --


With the meeting concluded the others had split for the night. Kapi and co to the arcade, Displo to his quarters and you and Tabi alone.

You were driving him around the city. He said earlier he would have to go back to his workplace to get a spare high vis jacket. Said that there was no guarantee he'd have one come the operation day. He asked if you could hold onto it till the operation.

You asked why he couldn't store it at his place, but he just said it was under renovations. He didn't want it damaged by the dust. You didn't think much of it and agreed.

He was originally going to go alone and bring it tomorrow but you insisted to drive him. You did add that if he didn't have somewhere to store it you may as well get it now.

Not to mention that it was a colder night than usual and still raining heavily out. You insisted.

With the destination set on the arborist's office at you two were off.

"You didn't have to do this you know." Tabi said. He was staring out the window, arm resting on the door. His eyes reflected faintly off the window. He didn't sound bored, just guilty.

"C'mon, it's terrible out here. Can't have you getting sick before the operation."

"Hmph." He said quietly.

"So what do you think of the pentest?" You ask.

"It makes sense. I just don't know how much practice we're gonna get."

"How so?"

Tabi sat upright in the seat, adjusting his back. "I've been to the compound. It won't be as easy as strolling in." He spoke. "Even disguised, they'll recognize us."

"Well, remember, this is half-practice, half-seeing what we need for the team. Much as I'd like to as well, we can't just invade. We need to be discreet."

"I guess." Tabi shrugged. "But I'm not the most stealthy person. Soon as I enter I'm going to stand out. If I don't get thrown out immediately." He said quietly.

In the time you had known him, you found him to be a man of few words. You wanted to say something encouraging but nothing came to. You change the subject.

"Ah, I think you're overthinking it. You think we need anyone for the team right now?"

"No. I'm not sure about this S, though. Are you really sure it's trustworthy? Tabi glanced at your phone, pausing as he spoke. He wanted to make sure that blue blur wasn't listening. It looked like he was really gone.

"He told me he was 'devoted' and 'bound' to me, so I figure. Hasn't done anything bad since. What about Kapi?"

"Hardly know him. I don't know if I trust him fully. He's a friend of her boyfriend."

"Really?"

"Somewhat. I know they used to hang out. Agoti's closer to him but he at least seems trustworthy. He is like a child though, the way he acts. He better behave during the test." Tabi mused.

You took Tabi's musing as an opportunity to learn more about himself. But with each question asked, he either deflected or gave vague answers, quickly returning to his stoic personality. It wasn't going anywhere.

"You definitely like to hold all the cards." You joked.

"What do you mean?"

"It's just an expression. Means you like to keep a lot of things to yourself. This isn't an interrogation you know, I'm just curious."

"Well..I like the colour orange." He said, a bit more meekly than before.

"I'll keep that in mind."

A few more minutes of driving later you pull into the lot where the office was. It was a small green building, several trucks around it in an industrial park. A single light was in the office. It looked as someone was in.

No longer lit was a neon sign above it that read 'Homskiy Forestry Company'.

"Wait here." Tabi said, getting out.

You watch as he goes to the front door, kneels on the ground and does something to it. A second later he opens it and goes inside. Did he just lockpick it?

A few minutes later he emerged carrying the vest, crumpled up.

"Here. Keep it safe." He said. "It's the only one that doesn't smell like cut grass."

"I'll guard it with my life. You want a ride back to your place?"

"Just drive me a bit closer to it...please."

"Sure man, no problem. Hop in."

With a successful pull out of the lot you were off.

"I was thinking about earlier. When you go in you can't hide your face."

"What? Why?"

"You're supposed to be maintenance. You hide yourself and it'll look suspicious."

"So what? I don't have a choice do I? You see the way I look. I'll get thrown out. And what if someone recognizes me, like the family?"

"IRIS is openly hostile to those people. I seriously doubt any would show up. And even then, mid-day on a Wednesday? C'mon." You made a slow turn.

"Look, you walk in there with confidence, head up, face forward, nobody will question you I swear. Bro, you look badass. Just glare at anyone who stops you. I'll be able to get the IDs so nobody should make a complaint."

"You think so?" He said quieter than before.

"I know so. You've seen the kinds of people in this city. You can use it to your advantage. No different from a scar on the face or appearance change. Just own it."

"I s-see." He said. Though you were more focused on driving you notice him out of the corner of your eye look at you. He was studying your face for any hints of jokes. You were serious.

You turn your head slightly and he quickly turns away, his eyes again reflecting off the glass, flickering slightly.

He directed until you pulled beside an empty park. It was heavily forested but in a busy enough area that it stood out.

"Pull over here."

You do so. Tabi got up. "Thanks. I'll see you on Monday."

"You sure you want to be left off here?"

Tabi shook his head. "I live in there." He said, pointing to the apartment building.

"Alright." You take the vest and put on the passenger seat.

"Have a good night."

"You too." Tabi said quietly. He started walking towards some nearby buildings, crossing the street.

You wave him and drive off.

Tabi walked up to the lobby door and waited till you were out of sight. Once gone he let out a sigh of relief before turning back and disappearing into the park.

His mind was awash with thoughts. Most of all, one kept repeating. "You look badass."

To protect wildlife there were not many streetlights surrounding it. The darkness allowed Tabi to blend it as he snuck in.

Peering around he made sure there weren't any observers or followers. There weren't. And if there were they would have ran already seeing an ominous figure staring at them.

To an outsider all they would have seen was a spectre-like being moving on the ground, two large yellow burning eyes trailing along. Tabi had been spotted once, some late-night joggers noticing him. Not a word was exchanged but they ran away terrified. He recalled them screaming about a goat demon lurking the forest. It made him feel good then, as did your comment now.

Tabi didn't care anymore. If people avoided him, that was good. He threw his bag up, disappearing into the canopy. Satisfied, he climbed the tree, scampering up it faster than a cat would. It was a process he had repeated many times over. Just came as muscle memory.

Having disappeared into the same canopy, he laid down on the huge branch, back against the trunk of the tree. A hole had purposely been cut into the top of the foliage, giving Tabi a view of the night sky. Rather than wasting phone power he instead allowed the Moon and Sun to tell time. And when the sun reached above him, he would know it was time to leave for the early dog-walkers come by.

Just next to his head hung his backpack, held perfectly by some branches. It had been a perfect throw. One had done many times over again.

It had been countless nights Tabi spent up in this tree. It took planning at the start, trying to find a good place to support his back, ensure it was remote enough and that he not be spotted. It had also taken some time to ensure he didn't fall off the tree. But there wasn't anywhere else he could stay. Can't be seen. What if they find me? Repeated in his head time and time again. I'll get them! Then I can rest. So consumed with revenge.

Sol, eventually put his foot down and ordered him to at least spend one night a week at his place. Though Tabi didn't agree or even sanction it, Sol always saw him like a son. In the end Tabi relented and agreed to spend just 1 night a week. He still preferred the tree, away from Sol's prying eyes and questions. Too many questions about "how are you doing" and "you still aren't seeking revenge" and "keep yourself out of trouble", it all annoyed him so.

As thoughts of the day raced around in his mind, Tabi began to drift.

Sleep didn't last long; however, a group of kids had entered the park midnight. They were playing, having a good time and generally being loud. Tabi reached for his knife, ready to start scaring straight. But he recalled what happened last time; police called, he almost got found in his tree and had to spend the night in a smelly alleyway.

He sighed. Tonight was going to be a long night. He pulled his hood tighter over his invisible ears, hoping to at least catch some shuteye.


-- Elsewhere --


Flashpoint Arcade.

Three people had entered though only 2 tickets were purchased. A digidevil, a cat-boy (not an anthro though) and a cosmic entity currently living in the cat's phone.

Agoti, Kapi and S.

"Alright. I want a clean match. No cheating from either of you." Agoti said as the trio stepped onto the arcade floor.

"Oh, I won't even need to use a fraction of my powers." S declared from Kapi's phone. Agoti held the phone so S could see around.

"Please, you only got those scores because you cheated." Kapi shot back into the phone. S was on the app screen, arms crossed, glaring at the boy.

"No cheating needed. Your scores weren't even that high." S bragged back.

"Easy you two. What do we start with first?"

"I'll give you first pick." Kapi said.

"Let me think, then...Sonic Championship!"

"Course you would pick the Sonic one." Kapi snickered.

"Sonic Championship is one of the most balanced and advanced fighting games ever made. It was revolutionary for it's time. Why it's one of the best-"

"I get it, I get it. Let's do this." Kapi said, interrupting S' speech.

They found the arcade cabinet. Like most of the machines in Flashpoint, it had been cleaned and preserved properly. The machine was in good condition. Two controllers emerged from the machine. Since they had purchased free play, Kapi swiped his card to begin.

Getting ready, S transferred to the machine and selected Sonic. Kapi selected Honey the Cat.

Agoti stood by and watched, curious to see how it would play out. In a series of draws, temporary victories and losses and different games they had drawn even every single time. The swapped from Sonic Championship to other games, and always the result was the same. A straight draw. Agoti was surprised at the level of effort both were putting in. This clearly meant a lot more to each than he thought.

S, despite being incorporeal was starting to act tired as well, the constant rush taking him out. Kapi was sweating, hyper focusing on the game. They had all lost track of time. At some point Agoti found they had returned to the first game.

Then suddenly, S stopped fighting back. Kapi continued the combo, completely eradicating S' healthbar and concluding the round.

"S? Why'd you stop?" Kapi looked at his phone, S was gone. "S?"

"I gotta go guys." S said, re-appearing in the game.

"Oh, running away?" Kapi said smugly.

"This isn't over catty! Stupid (Y/N), calling me. We'll settle this later."

"Alright, yeah, run away."

S glared at Kapi through the screen. "You'll see. You only won 'cause I got distracted. Been even this whole night!"

"Humph. Fine. Next time we'll see who's the real best." Kapi said.

"You got that right, catty." S said annoyed. He waved bye to them and vanished from the game.

Once he was sure S was gone, Kapi let out a huge breath of relief.

"Geez. That guy's good. Almost as good as me."

"Yeah, yeah." Agoti said, brushing Kapi off. He held a towel that Kapi had obtained at some point, metaphorically becoming the 'towel-boy' and referee.

Elsewhere in the city you were sitting at your computer, dumbfounded by what you saw.

"There is only 2GB left on C:'s 256SSD. Please remove some files to free up memory."

You check S' folder properties.

"230GB."

"S what did hell did you do?!" You shout, still waiting on S to come through the phone.


-- 3 Days till Blindside, Monday --


It was the early morning. Most of the city was still sleeping. For some though, they had been up. And for Agoti he had been up for a few minutes. He had arrived late home last night, and then accidentally ended up waking up early. It was an occurrence where it was too early to wake up, but too late to get any good sleep. He chose to wake, rationalizing he needed a good sleep schedule for the upcoming test.

Mindlessly eating a bowl of cereal he sat at the granite countertop, scrolling through his phone. No milk, he preferred to eat it as is. He wasn't much of a liquids guy.

"Oh, hey Dad." He said, mouth full of cereal, noticing someone emerge from the bathroom.

"You're up early." Agoti's father said, stepping into the room. "Tabi didn't want to stay last night?"

"Nah, ended up going out with a friend somewhere."

Unlike Agoti, his dad was a different kind of being. He had called himself a solarisapien, or a sunwalker as Agoti used to call him when he was younger.

He was 'humanoid' but made of a shining blue light. Though it was bright in the kitchen from outside, Agoti could see things tint blue as his dad walked by.

Instead of hair his light shape coalesced into a fiery appearance atop his head. It looked as if he was made of a light blue fire itself, though not burning, instead shimmering.

He was wearing a casual black jacket and a white dress shirt under it. Upon his neck was a yellow tie, the dress shirt collar buttoned up as well. Behind a pair of narrow glasses were a pair of calculating eyes, obscured by the glass.

Though he was known as Solazar, Agoti knew him mainly by dad. Tabi knew him as 'Sol'.

He had pants but had a history with them. He wore none now. He claimed that between the cost of getting pants that would work for him and that they were uncomfortable for him that he simply did not require them. There was nothing there for anyone to see, he would always remark to people. The only time Agoti recalled Sol ever willing wearing pants was when he was in school, that he needed to adhere to some standards, resuming his pantless quest once Agoti graduated.

"Ah well. I've heard good things about him from his job. As long as he is improving, I won't complain." Sol said.

He opened the and pulled out a carton of orange juice, drinking straight from the tap. He was careful not to have the carton contact his skin, less he singe it again. He didn't need the juice but preferred the taste. It changed the colour of his flames to orange briefly, trailing as the juice went down.

"Ma's out?" Agoti asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid she was held up last night with your brother. They both should be home later today."

Satisfied with the drink, Sol put it away and picked up the large bag of catfood, opening and pouring it into a series of metal bowls on the ground. The sound of pouring attracted a few cats which steadily entered the kitchen. A silvery white cat came first, purring as it saw the food.

"Good morning, Snowflake." He said casually. He pets it slowly. Though he had a fiery appearance he was able to control the temperature at will, allowing him to be gentle when he wanted to.

Agoti was still finishing his cereal. He had meant to ask last night but he had come home too late. Sol, as if sensing the impending question instead asked first.

"So what is your plan this week?" Sol got up from petting the cat.

"Well I'm gonna head to the studio, record some stuff today and tomorrow, probably meet with Tab later tonight. And, uh, Wednesday I'm doing a pentest. Y'know what that is?"

"Of course I do, it's a common thing in the security industry. How did you get involved in that?" Sol said, surprised. More interested now, Sol pulled up a chair and took at a seat at the other end of the island, across from Agoti.

"Well, Tabi and his friends were organizing it. We're gonna get paid for it."

Realizing he probably shouldn't have led with Tabi; he could only watch as Sol's eyes narrowed.

"It's legit I swear."

"Are you sure about that?" In Sol's mind he immediately figured Tabi + Pentest = 'we're actually going to break and steal stuff' or 'burn the place down' or 'set off bombs in it'.

"Y-yeah. Well, we have a rep for the company. He's organizing the whole thing. Tabi's just part of it. His cop friend too."

"Ah, yes, (Y/N). I am aware of their existence."

"You know 'em?"

"Tabi had me look into them. But I digress. What is this company anyways?"

"It's called IRIS."

A look of concern flashed across Sol's face. Agoti was starting to realize he maybe shouldn't have said anything, a guilty look appearing on his face. He cursed himself silently.

"IRIS." He said strangely. "Hm. That was not who I was expecting. Is there any paperwork for this 'test'?"

"Uh, the rep, Displo said he'd take care of it. There something wrong?"

Solazar stood up, his expression changing to a more cheerful look. "Not currently. I should be going though. We can discuss this further later."

"Oh, uh. You think you could get Tabi the day off?"

"That won't be an issue. He's already texted me something along those lines. That I know it's not just another pointless revenge plot I will get it done. He will get the day off."

"Where you off to today anyways?" Agoti asked.

"I have some contracts to sign, bills to file and such. Lots of paperwork, the usual."


-- Elsewhere --


It was about an hour before opening. You had arrived earlier, dressed in the tactical suit. Though you'd only been wearing it a few days you had grown to like it. You found customers were less likely to pull stuff, seeing you at the entrance. You had the desk turned this time, facing into the restaurant. A new employee had arrived and Displo was giving introductions.

He had given the same welcoming to you when you officially started, introducing you to the employees. Despite having worked a few days now you still barely knew anyone's name. You didn't mind. You rarely had to work with them anyways.

Despite your distance from the other employees, Displo felt it appropriate if you at least paid attention.

"I would like you all to meet our newest waiter, Tess."

"Hi everyone!"

A collective hello back was emitted.

"Some of you may recognize her as the proprietor of own diner. Those of you that do will also likely know why she's here. See, a few days back, the diner burned to the ground under various circumstances. Investigations are still ongoing, but regardless she will be here for a few weeks until things can be normalized for her."

"Yes. Thank you all for having me." Tess said meekly.

"Well, that's about it for announcements. Restaurant opens in T-minus 56 minutes. Let's make this a good day."

Your first note was that she wasn't human or anthro. She was a robot, or an android, like Displo. You still didn't know exactly what he was but whatever it was, Tess was similar.

She was shorter than Displo but definitely more human-looking. Everything she wore from the metallic-looking dress to the two large ponytails atop her head were various shades of bright green. Her head was normal, unlike Displo's 'TV-head'.

She had two large green eyes which matched the rest of her attire, various shades of bright green. She wore a large pair of thick glasses; the glass having been tinted green. You wondered why she wore them if she was a robot.

Her eyes could've just been adjusted, right? Either way you found it suited her appearance. While Displo's head was the only giveaway he was a robot, Tess seemed to be more open about it. Her dress exposed dark green segmented arms, and fingerless gloves she had.

She had a bright orange nametag which displayed her name and a notepad to match, presumably for the orders. Her appearance was unique even among Displo's restaurant and far more suited for a diner. She wore green running shoes, wheels attached to them to double as roller skates. While the restaurant barely had a cohesive theme, she was still unique within it.

Her sudden appearance got you thinking if she was IRIS. You decide to ask Displo about it later. You were also curious as to what exactly went down with her restaurant, figuring you can ask if she needs your help later. That she apparently had a diner that 'burned down' added to her mystique. You guess if she was IRIS her opinions on the Family were identical.

For now the restaurant was quiet and you wanted to get some reading done.

Shortly after the place opened for the day you notice one of the first customers. Well, not so much notice as are nearly blinded by. It was as if a being a pure light and fire wearing a suit entered.

Blinking again, there was two of them. One a light blue flame, the other a darker shade. You hadn't even said anything when the lighter blue one glares at you from behind sunglasses.

It didn't set a good feeling in your stomach, but they sat down and had their order taken. They were legitimate customers. You keep an eye on them just in case. After Updike's sudden appearance yesterday it put you on edge too.

You just give them a knowing nod and continue on your book.

First shift of the day! Tess thought happily. She did a once-over. Notepad, check. Pen, check. Wheels were oiled and dress was in pristine condition. She was ready to take orders.

It didn't take long for her to get assigned a section of the restaurant. The 'Bar-wing'. Near the bar but still close to the windows and front. It was the section that the security guard was stationed near. It made her feel safer but did little to stop the butterflies in her stomach. Though Displo assured her that customers would not find her style clashing she couldn't help but feel he was only saying it to make her feel better. Displo's was a high-end gastropub! The clientele had to be way higher class than he diner.

It only took a few minutes after opening that a strange couple entered. They looked to be made of pure light. She set them at a table. They were completely different from the clientele she had back at the diner. Even the way they spoke gave off an aura of 'upper-classmen'.

"Hi! My name's Tess and I'll be the waiter this noon. Can I start you off with any drinks?"

"I'll have an orange juice." The light person in the suit said. He spoke clearly and professionally.

"Nothing for me. Maybe later." The other light person said. She spoke similar, a deep voice echoing from within. She wore a dress.

"Certainly. I'll be right back!" Tess said.

For the next half-hour Tess managed the tables. She had learned the light people's names were Solazar and Amora. During their stay they happened to make eye contact with the security guard a few times. She just figured they knew each other or something. It put her on edge too, worrying that one of them would try to pull something.

Solazar and Amora spoke quietly to themselves, stopping whenever Tess got near them. Upon giving them their salads, Solazar stopped her.

"I would like to speak with your manager. I assure this has nothing to do with you."

"Can I ask why?" It had to be that security guard. She thought.

"No. You may not." Sol's expression turned deadpan and serious, as did Amora's.

"W-well, okay. I'll be back with him." Unsure if it was the security guard or not or something she skated away, hurriedly.

Displo was in the back assisting the chefs. She explained what had happened. Unsure himself, Displo told Tess to not worry and to keep waiting the other tables. She nodded. "Tell them I will be out momentarily." He spoke. He as was unsure as her. Tess mentioned her theory about the security guard, but Displo waved her off, stating it was impossible they had a problem with the guard.

With Tess gone, Displo stepped outside. He looked at the couple, answers to various questions already forming in his head.

"Is there a problem here?" Displo said to Solazar and Amara.

"Possibly. Are you the owner of this restaurant?" Sol asked. From the sunshine outside, rays reflected on his glasses.

"I am."

"I would like to speak with you about your superiors."

"I'm sorry? I am the owner and founder of this establishment. I am Displo, if that was not clear."

"I'd like to talk to you about your plans on Wednesday. I understand my son is going to be engaged in it."

Displo took a step back. It was unexpected.

"Certainly. If you'll come with me." Displo led the two solarisapiens to the back.

You were watching the scene uneasily. Probably another leader of a shadowy organization. You think. You consider calling S out but decide not to. It could have been just a simple misunderstanding.

You shoot Displo a text asking if everything was alright, and he replied back to not worry.

A few minutes later, they emerge from the back, Displo following. They go past their table and out the door, placing a few bills on the table as they leave.

Displo follows them on the way out, seeing them off.

Once they were out of earshot, you decide to ask.

"What was that all about? They kept staring at me."

"That, my friend, was Solazar Andromeda and Amora Andromeda. Solazar is the CEO and president of Entity Records."

"Uh-huh."

"The same Entity records, our friend with the red hoodie is signed to. And the same one that is known to Solazar as son."

Unsure of why Displo was being cryptic you still understood.

"That was Agoti's father?"

"Yes, it was. He just wanted to make sure that everything was in order. Concerned parents as I understand it."

"I don't see the resemblance. He, uh, want to join?" Now knowing he wasn't a threat your mind instantly wandered to having him join the crew.

"He has a special distain for the family if Agoti's story is anything to for but no. I didn't tell him about the heist. Agoti didn't appear to inform him either. Anyways, he will be observing Wednesday's operation. Has even agreed to put up some money for it."

"That's good."

"Indeed."

Displo nodded and returned back to the kitchen. However, before he could, he was stopped again. This time by Tess.

"What was that about?"

"Just a case of mistaken identity. Nothing serious." Displo said.

"I see." It had to have been that security guard. She was sure of it.

Track 16 - Operation Blindside


"Did, huh, we, ha, win?"


It was finally Wednesday. The day of Operation Blindside. The last few meetings didn't last very long, everyone knew their role and what to do. It was mostly spent reviewing and planning for fringe possibilities.

Across the street from the IRIS headquarters everyone was in your car. It was a little tight in the back but they all fit. Mid-morning and the sun was shining brightly. Not a cloud in the sky either.

Displo was in the driver's seat as the 'getaway driver' and you in the passenger. Everyone had their flags and a headset for communication. The lines were open and all it took was a button to easily contact each other.

All had one except S, who had materialized one for himself always. Displo also had several monitors on the dash. He called it his 'Command and Control' centre. He stressed that during the real heist we'd need a real centre to control from.

From the monitors and his link to IRIS he would be monitoring the situation.

The managers had their own lookout post, Displo had said. They were somewhere in the building where they were observing. The team had met them early and they exhumed superiority, believing the operation would not last long. It did nothing but further give fury to Agoti who vowed to show them.

"If this was real, wouldn't like it be bad to be so close to the HQ? What if someone sees us getting in the car?" Kapi asked from the backseat. He was sitting in-between Tabi and Agoti.

"In a real scenario I would drive to pick you all up but if you can manage to get out on your own then it should be easy to get away."

"But what if security sees us?"

"They don't monitor the surrounding streets." Displo responded.

"In the real thing we'll have a legitimate strategy. Remember, this is half-practice, half-the real thing." You say.

"Everyone ready?"

"Ready as I'll be." Tabi said coldly. He was trying to avoid looking out the window, worried people would see him.

"Yep!" S shouted from Kapi's phone.

"Same." Kapi said. He was fidgeting with himself.

"Hell yeah. Let's do this." Agoti said.

"I've no objections. Best of luck everyone." Displo said.

With a nod you get out of the car, uniform clad. You replayed the plan in your head, just to make sure.

Get into the surveillance room by pretending to be a new guard. Allow access for Kapi and Tabi, monitor situation from there, play security's side, be ignorant.

You cross the road and step into the front lobby of IRIS. With clear glass walls around it was bright in here. There were several desks for customers and various gates around. You weren't armed so no worry about getting metal detected. There were chairs and lounges around as well.

It was a waiting area for various customers and a spot for employees to take a break. There were security cameras around so stealing an ID here was out of the question.

Approaching the front desk seemed the best option. After-all you were a new employee. Nobody seemed to have noticed you, everyone was busy with their own tasks, running about. You had the dress-up ready. Displo insisted you keep his name on the uniform, saying it with much pride.

Before you approach the desk, you notice two guards emerge from the back behind it. They were dressed similarly to you. You wave them over. It looked like a much better possibility. They hopped over the gate, completely ignoring the metal detectors. They wave back, approaching you.

With confidence you say. "Hey, I'm new here, name's Anon. I'm supposed to meet Blake. I'm one of the new guards." As discussed with Displo you had to use an alias. Meant you couldn't use your nametag, but you planned to make an excuse you lost it.

You shake their hand. "Welcome aboard, Anon. Bad news though. Blake's out till after lunch. Something came up. Least you got the uniform. You in the system?" The guard responds.

"Should be. I met with him a few days ago." You pat yourself down. "Shoot. Forget my badge. I'm in there though, sure of it."

The other guard nods at you. "Ehn, I'm sure we got spares. We're just heading back to the survey room. C'mon. I'll show you around. Name's Julian, by the way."

"And you can call me Corey." The other guard said in a deeper voice. You detected a hint of some accent, though you guess that was because of his European moustache. You shake the other one's hand and follow them through. You were in.

"You came on a weird day Anon. Can't seem to find any of the managers today. Had to cancel a few scheduled things because of it. Good though, means we can screw around." Justin said.

"Say, that one of the new uniforms?" Corey asks.

You did notice your uniform was off-colour a bit. While there's was green yours was a darker shade of blue.

"Yeah, Blake gave it to me the other day. New model."

"Sick." It was evident they had taken a liking to you. You wondered if they were former cops as well. They had the jovialness.

"What things got cancelled?" You ask. Maybe I could use that to my advantage.

"Bunch of crap, standard stuff, one health inspection, probably some other things. I don't know the details. I just get paid to watch." He said happily.

You pass through the metal detector. It noted you had a phone but that was it. You watched carefully as the two others went through. They were armed.

"You aren't armed?" Julian asks.

"Nah, Blake said they were short of guns. Didn't bring my own piece."

"Sucks. Coulda had on of these." Julian drew his gun. It was a 9mm pistol.

"Plastic bullets. Management would freak if you brought a real weapon in here."

"Or bullets." Corey joked.

"Ah."

The three of you continued walking. You pass through another break lobby and enter one of the employees only doors. This specific one said SECURITY ONLY. It was reminiscent of your old station. A door with a frosted window. Very old-school.

"So what kinda guard are you? Patrol, surveillance, hit team?"

"Surveillance. Just monitoring stuff."

Corey looks at you funny. "Really?"

"Y-yeah? What's wrong with that?"

Julian stopped Corey. "Heh, it's just here, nobody really goes on surveillance. It's more of a like, the lowest of the low has to do it before they can move up to patrols. Hell the two guys there are only on it 'cause the other surveillance guys quit."

"Yeah, it's more of a punishment."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's a slog. Friggin' motto of the company should be 'nothing happens here'." He joked.

You pass through another corridor. This looked to be bit more like you were expecting. Long hallways, unmarked doors and the occasional open one showing an unkempt office. This was the unmarked security wing.

"Say, you're a former cop, aren't you?" Julian might have asked. You had lost track of who was who.

"You can tell huh?"

"Ha! Knew it. We have a lot of former cops here."

"Makes sense. This was my first pick." You speak.

"Why'd you leave anyways?"

"Just, uh, disagreement of opinion."

"Well, this place is much more chill. As I said nothing happens here."

"Okay, here we are." One of the guards said.

This was the surveillance main room. There were two other guards around, watching the cameras. You hadn't been in the old stations surveillance room but figured this to be more like it. Two of the walls were completely covered in monitors, showcasing every single detail about the building. There was a long desk that was in front, though most of the guard's chairs were in the middle of the room. Didn't make sense to watch from so close.

The room was also strangely dark, the monitors giving off most of the light in a hazy grey.

"Well, meet Zach and Chris. They're stuck on surveillance too."

The two guards sitting at the cameras wave. Neither turn around, both buried in whatever they were looking at.

"Well, enjoy 8 hours of staring at nothing, Anon. If I see Blake, I'll send him your way."

"Thanks."

The two guards left, leaving you in the room. "So we just watch the cameras?"

"That's right." One of the watchers said with a nasally voice. Looking closely it seemed as if neither was actually paying attention. Both weren't paying attention to the cameras. One on a GBA, the other reading some book.

With how little they were paying attention, sneaking in Tabi and Kapi should be easy.

"Names Anon. Is there anything I need to do?"

"Watch the cameras."

"Is this the only surveillance room?"

"Yep."

"What, no. There's one in the other building to." One of the guards said.

"Oh yeah."

Looking around the room you find a box of loose name tags. A printed sign above it read "Please remember to take these cards off the system. Give to Blake once removed."

You grab a few. One for a scientist called "Narancia G." and one for a maintenance personal called "Joseph J.". You also grab a random one in case Agoti needed to identify himself. They thankfully had no photos so nobody could question their identities. Unless they knew them of course.

Next was to find an exit. You recall seeing some exit signs outside.

"Excuse me, gonna go to the bathroom." You announce.

"Tell them to send it back." One of them mumble. It was clear they weren't paying attention to you.

It was clear in the hallway, no security cameras even present. "Got the IDs, looking for an exit. Near the surveillance room." You mutter into the microphone.

"According to the floor plan there should be an emergency exit nearby. It will lead right out of the side." Displo said on the line.

"I think I see it." Fortunately, the building followed fire codes and a few turns down blank hallways you found a fire exit. You put your hand on the bar but stop.

"Are these things on an alarm?"

"No. As we discussed they are not. But they should be."

You shrug, an excuse forming you needed some fresh air if someone comes looking. You lightly push open the door, cold air slowly pouring in.

No alarm.

Satisfied you step out, still holding the door and take out the IDs. There was a trash can next to it so you lift it up slightly and put the IDs there, face-down. You relay that to the team.

"Can we come now?" Kapi asks on his line.

"No. Let me distract them first." Peeking outside there was a camera watching. You had no idea if it saw you place the IDs but doubted. Neither guard looked to be watching.

The walk back gave you an idea. "S, you there?"

"Of course! What's up?"

"There's two guys in the surveillance room playing games. You think you could go in one and distract them?"

"Really? Any specifics? I like this." S said, giggling.

"Go crazy."

"Haha, you bet. I'm gonna spook them!"

You step into the surveillance room. Corey was still gaming.

S was apparently successful as Corey started freaking out about something on his game, calling Zach over. You just make a comment that you'll watch the cameras. They were too distracted by whatever S was doing to even respond.

You text Kapi and Tabi to make their way to the door.

One thought crosses your mind that you and the others were recorded on camera. You rationalize it that during the real heist you'll need a demolitionist. Either that or get S to destroy it all.

You step out the room as the two soon-to-be thieves walk by.

"Good luck guys. You know what to do?"

"Aye-aye." Kapi said quietly.

"Yep." Tabi kicked over the trash can and him and Kapi took the cards.

"There was apparently some health inspection today and the guy hasn't shown. You could claim to be 'em just in case."

"I'll consider that."

"Good. Now, S, get to Kapi."

"Aw, but I was having so much fun...Fine. I'll be there soon." He said on the comlink.

You step back in the security room and take a seat. Not much to do here but wait and watch the cameras. The two guards were still eyes deep in the game. Whatever S had done it gotten them to speak up. They were cracking jokes about it, making up some whole story for what happened.

For now, it was time to watch.

Kapi was already wearing the lab coat and Tabi in the high vis. Despite the disguise Tabi was still wearing his usual blue hoodie and hat. He had taken to dirtying the high vis, much to Displo's annoyance. "They need to see I've actually used it you tin can. Someone walks in with a clean vest thEY KNOW THAT PERSON IS A FAKE!" He had shouted.

He felt naked not concealing his head in the open but had little choice against it. Your words echoed in his head. "Stay confident and not suspicious". They didn't help. He felt flush with worry.

The lobby entrance was in site, the backrooms having been traversed. Tabi stopped just shy of fully entering it. "I-I can't. People are staring already."

Kapi was confused. "Bro what, nobody even sees us."

"Is there another way?" Tabi looked around. He felt his face heating up.

There was enough signage around to get to a nearby elevator without even having to re-enter the lobby. With the swipe of the IDs the elevator doors departed. It was thankfully empty, much to Tabi's relief.

They probably think I'm some test subject gone loose. And that Kapi is in charge. He shook his head. He had to stay focused. His stomach growled too. He should have eaten before.

There was only a single poster of a cat hanging off a branch that read "hang in there" in the whole elevator. It did nothing to calm his nerves.

While waiting Tabi noticed Kapi was unusually anxious, fidgeting.

"What is wrong with you?" He spat.

"I have t-tourettes, alright. I'm just a-anxious."

"Hmph. Me too." Tabi said in agreement. He didn't care but seeing Kapi's worry made him a little more relaxed. It gave him an air of superiority over the cat.

"Don't be anxious. We're gonna do great, you and I. Be like Sonic and Eggman teaming up!" S declared through Kapi's phone speaker.

"I don't see how we're not gonna caught." Tabi spoke into the mic.

Displo responded before you could. "Remember the plan is to steal as much info as you can. Even if we don't get out, we pretty much already won."

"The fact (Y/N) even managed to get that far is an achievement." Displo added.

"You guys can do this." You said from COM. "Plus I can handle security dispatch from here." You whisper, though it didn't seem like the other two guards in the room cared. "Just get in, get out, stay focused."

With nothing further to do in your situation you had resorted to scrolling your phone, occasionally glancing up to see where Kapi and Tabi were.

Kapi looked over himself. He was wearing his usual hoodie and get up, just with fake glasses, a lap coat and a clipboard.

Tabi likewise was dressed normally. He had his dirtied high vis jacket on, coupled with a construction hat and a GIS mapping phone. He tried to explain it earlier to the crew but nobody knew what GIS even was. Kapi just thought it was an old cellphone.

The doors opened.

5F. Going up. This was the HR department. Tabi nodded to Kapi and stepped out.

5F overlooked the lobby, hanging a bit further out the other 4 floors. There was a railing to easily see into the lobby as well as glass walls giving a wonderful view of the city in front.

Other than that the area was lined with cubicles and offices. It was only until the doors started to close that Tabi got the confidence to step in. It was now or nothing. He tried to remind himself they couldn't harm him, or that the Family wouldn't be here. It had all jumbled up into the same thought.

Just stepping out of the elevator Tabi saw a reception desk, a wooden gate separating the department from the rest of the floor. This was the HR department.

Tabi approached the desk. There was a woman looking down at a computer, sitting down behind the desk. She hadn't noticed him yet.

He tapped the top of the desk, looking down at the woman. He hid his hand just as quickly as he tapped, an illogical thought occurring she would think he's a freak.

"Excuse me..." Tabi said. He was trying his best to hide his accent, sounding as normal as he could. It completely failed as the woman practically jumped upon seeing the threatening goat-man in front of her. He just stared back, his 'look' appearing to her more as a glare than a friendly face. The burning in his eyes did nothing to help his case.

"C-can I help you?" She clutched the phone.

"I'm with maintenance. I was told to look into a leak in the managers office. I'm here on the health inspection."

"Y-you are? I didn't hear anything about t-that." She was shaking at his sudden appearance. Though his skull didn't appear that way, Tabi could feel his cheeks flush with anxiety. This is so stupid, he thought.

Tabi flashed his name tag. Joseph J.

"R-right. U-uh. T-the manager's office is just past there. It's that clear room down the corridor to the r-right of me. The, uh, good luck with the inspection." She muttered quickly. For a second Tabi thought she was reaching into her desk for a gun, but it was just some papers. He nearly flinched, which in turn made her flinch.

"Thank you." Tabi muttered and made his way. There was a push-gate that read "HR ONLY" that he pushed aside.

Tabi was trying his hardest to appear normal and not let the anxiety overcome him. He felt like he'd already blew his cover. Wy did you say health inspection AFTER the leak? Should've just said one thing only. Stupid stupid STUPID! Tabi thought.

To make matters worse his stomach was aching. He hadn't eaten anything today since swiping a handful of cereal from Agoti's the other morning. As he walked by conversations around him stopped. People were giving him strange looks. A person even got up to leave, going straight for the reception desk.

Why did it have to be me. Why couldn't Agoti have gone in? His consolation was that his stomach was masking his anxiety.

Once "Joseph J." was out of sight the woman quickly dialled security. She knew the inspection had been cancelled, no idea who 'Joseph' was and that a threatening goat-man may have tried to attack her. A few other workers there immediately went to her soon as they saw Tabi walk about, also telling her to call security ASAP. One even commented that an 'experiment had gotten loose'. One even thought he was a ghost, launching off on a tangent about the 'unholy work this company does!'.

The phone rang in the surveillance room. You would have grabbed it but one of the guards was faster, not even letting it ring before grabbing it.

"Uh-huh. Okay. Slow down, please. Okay. Fifth floor? I see 'em, we'll send someone up there. It's probably nothing. I know. I know. Okay, bye."

"Some creep apparently forced his way into HR. Hey, new guy. Come look at this."

One of the guards waved you over. He points towards Tabi.

"Look at this guy. What a freak."

"What' you think he's trying to do?" The other guard asked.

"Beats me. Gonna send Julian and Corey to go deal with him."

"Shoot." You mutter. You had originally planned to do it later, but it looked like it was going to have to happen now.

"Where are Corey and Julian?" You ask, looking around the cameras.

"Lobby." One of the guards turned to you. "Why? You wanna go deal with this freak?"

You bide your tongue, wanting strongly to defend Tabi. "No, just wanna, uh, see how close they were. I'll stay here."

"Ehn, they probably wouldn't let you in anyways."

"Bro, why's he wearing high vis? You'd think he wanted to be hidden. What an idiot."

This would screw up the plan but hopefully he was good enough. While one of the guards makes the call you quickly send a text to Displo.

"Tabi's been spotted. Send in Agoti. Guards going to are on lobby. Hurry."

Displo received the text instantly. "Acknowledged."

Displo turned back in the car seat. "Agoti. You're up. Need you to distract some guards."

"Alright, finally." Agoti had moved to the passenger seat, watching the monitors as well. "I was starting to get stir-crazy here! Anything specific I need to do?"

"Cause a distraction. Guards are armed with plastic bullets but aren't trigger happy. There are two guards on their way to Tabi. Currently in the lobby. Your goal is to keep attention away from Kapi and Tabi."

Agoti waited for another sentence, something about 'don't do anything stupid.' Displo looked at him blankly. "Well?"

"So nothing off limits, right?"

Displo sighed, having done so several times these past days. "No killing. Don't destroy the place. Please."

"Dope. Time to shine!" Agoti declared before hopping out of the car and dashing across the street, practically barreling down the front doors.

With Agoti gone, Displo sent off a text.

"He's gone, feel free to come by. We're parked out front."


Now Playing...


Artist:

Teargas and Plateglass


Song:

A Book of Black Valentines


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzfSgO7wLzI


In the front lobby, Agoti had already made quite a stir. He practically forced the doors open, the sound catching a few people's attention. He spotted the guards.

He whispered into the mic. "Property damage is okay right?"

Displo sighed. "It's...tolerable. Just don't go burning the building down."

"You got it pal!"

Agoti walked up to the desk nonchalantly. The receptionist had already saw Agoti and was getting ready to call security. He didn't fit in at all and his mischievous grin only made them all anxious. He was already being eyed by the two guards. Chatter in the lobby had quieted as Agoti waltzed in.

What to do first? Agoti thought. He had a malicious grin. There were so many possibilities. He already made a splash; eyes were on him. He fully expected someone to stop him any second. He noticed the guards, though they were watching closely on the off chance Agoti was just some customer.

Next to the desk was a route into the back where the elevators were. Separating it and the lobby were metal detectors and gates.

"C-can I help you?" The receptionist asked, phone in hand. He looked visibly scared of Agoti.

"Nah, you can't...but I think I know who can." Agoti immediately jumped upon the desk and parkoured over the metal detector.

He pulled out his personal microphone and, just for kicks he ran his phone next to the detector setting off the alarm. He jumped upon the desk and shouted into the mic.

"Good morning, IRIS! Let's get this party started!" He shouted out loud.

With the guard's attention drawn he ran down the lobby and for one of the ground floor offices. Nothing but a 2-metre wall separating them. Something he could easily maneuver around.

"What the hell?" One of the guards in the security office said. You were watching the monitors intently. Agoti had forcibly tripped the alarm, a small beep emitting from the monitor.

Soon as he saw one of the guards approaching, he made a run for it, darting down a hallway. He flashed them a mischievous grin, indicating he was here to screw things up.

"Get the hell back here!" One of the guards shouted at Agoti. He ignored them, keeping up the running. What was previously the one guard had called the other in.

He had hearded the two guards plus another one. They were shouting at him as he ran for it. He ignored them but made out a shout that he couldn't be here and shouldn't be there. Seeing an opportunity he knocked a vase down, shattering it and covering the floor in porcelain and dirt.

Reaching one of the office walls he leapt up, easily clearing it.

He landed in the open office, startling everyone. He was having too much fun, the only thing on his mind was to not get caught. He started running across the desks, scattering papers and scaring off random employees. He took care not to knock the computers, but a few keyboards were knocked astray.

"Can't catch me!" Agoti cheer as he sprinted across the area, playing tag with the guards.

Back in the security room you could hear the guards complaining on the line.

"Got some vandal here. Damn near destroying the 1F office! Need backup!"

You watch in anticipation, seeing how Agoti was secretly an acrobat. He was nearly grabbed but manages to slip away just before, his tentacles knocking the guard back. With the office open and free from employees a few of the guards open fire. Just narrowly avoiding getting shot, Agoti ducked under a desk.

The two guards with you were having a blast watching Agoti out pacing them all.

"Remember. The 7th floor has a special network around it. We likely won't be able to communicate with you. You are on your own." Displo had said days prior. Though he had assured the cat-boy that it was probably way safer than dealing with guards, he was still worried. It didn't help that S had to break some lock to even access the floor, something he figured would set off alarms.

The 7th floor doors opened bringing Kapi and S to the research wing. While the lobby and outward appearance had been a typical office building this floor looked far more sterile. The walls here were a snow white, with various strips of colour flowing along them. Looking at them, Kapi realized they were markers, leading to different parts of the research wing.

A gate stood in front, no guard present. As Kapi walked up, S made the gates open, allowing his entry. "There we go!" S said cheerily.

"Lost the signal. Can't hear anything anymore. Can't even see the internet!" S said.

"A-any idea S?"

"I'm seeing the same thing you are. No cameras, shoot I can't even see the network. I'm stuck here with you. Just explore. We got a bunch of time to waste anyways."

Back in the HR department, Tabi was still feeling like crap. There was apparently some other commotion going on which had drawn most of the HR department's attention. They were all watching as he heard shouting from below. There were also a few cheers as well.

Whatever it was, Tabi felt relieved people weren't staring at him anymore. With everyone huddled over the railing, it was as if the office was abandoned.

Tabi passed by the break room, stopping immediately. Between his growing headache and empty stomach he needed something. Anything. There was not a soul around, so he entered. Maybe nobody will notice if I just take a bite or take a small piece of something. Tabi thought. He did recall Displo allowing stealing, though he was talking about files, not food.

He was about to go for the fridge before a large white box atop the counter got his attention. Curious, he popped it open, eyes wide at what was inside. He couldn't believe it. It had to be a trap. Or he was one of the luckiest people around.

Inside the box were several paczkis. The legendary polish jam-filled doughnut. It was a party-sized box, a card inside noting it was a going away present from someone called Tomar. There were four flavours: blueberry, raspberry, chocolate and lemon. Each covered in powdered sugar.

Tabi did another check, just to make sure nobody was around. Ensuring it was safe he started grabbing paczskis and stuffing them into his gob, the jam exploding in his mouth. His body was not expecting the sudden rush of sugar. It made him feel euphoric. Raspberry and blueberry jam stained his skull, dripping onto his jacket.

Agoti let out a fake cry of pain, signalling to the guards he was shot. While the guards descended on him, he took the time to crawl under the desks. He realized he lured himself into a corner. Guards wouldn't shoot if there were more people around. He needed to get back to a crowded place.

"Security, this is a code orange. Requesting hit-teams, robotics and available security to the lobby, immediately." Sounded in the surveillance room. You weren't sure exactly what code orange was but could tell. Zach and Corey got up, excited.

"Code orange?" You ask.

"Means all available guards to that position." One of them said. It sounded as if he was sick, though you guessed it his actual voice.

"New guy. Stay here, watch the cameras. We're gonna go deal with it."

"Yeah, watch the cameras. You're gonna like this." Drawing guns and packing their stuff away they got up and ran off. He let off a battle cry, startling you.

Enough screwing around. Agoti thought. More guards had started to pour in, a few flying bots and drones as well. He had really pissed off security if he was going to conclude this distraction, he needed to get somewhere he could waste time in. An elevator.

"Where the hell did he go?" Some guard shouted.

"There!"

He had been spotted under one of the desks near the wall. Not needing cover any more he got headbutted the desk, launching it into the air. in the ensuring distraction he ran leapt over the wall, back into the hallways. He started running. He heard something shoot into the wall, bullets thankfully missing him. He barley noticed that one had grazed his shoe.

Another corner turned, Agoti nearly ran into a guard who was waiting for him. "Got you now!" Using his parkour skills he didn't slide into the guard but instead duck-slid under the guard. The hallway was a dead end with an elevator at the end.

If this doesn't open by the time, I get there I'm prying the damn thing open! Agoti thought.

Kapi had been wandering around for a while. While he'd seen windows to various labs, he hadn't seen any entrances. It as was if he was in an endless maze.

He didn't like it one bit. Nothing but white walls and now some coloured lines on the ground that didn't indicate where to go. It was making him feel uneasy. The whole place looked like the backrooms to him. It was disturbing. And his tourettes was starting to seriously bother him.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" Someone shouted behind him.

Kapi thought fast. Should he run or pretend. He decided to pretend. He didn't know any way out of here.

He turned around, clip board in hand.

"H-hi?" He said meekly. His ears went back slightly.

"What's your name? What division are you in?" Kapi wasn't sure what she was, guessing her to be a feline of some sort. She had two large black horns, which jutted out of a long purple hair. She had white fur, with a tail with a caramel circle around. She was clearly a scientist, as evident by the white clothing and simple flats she wore. Part of her hair covered her eye, as did the bandage hiding behind the hair. She looked Kapi over sternly.

He wasn't sure what to say either. She had caught him off guard.

"Wait, you're Narancia? We've been waiting for you all day! We have the samples you asked us for. It's in the radio lab. I think Lyle had them ready. Follow me." She said.

"S-sure."

"You alright kid?" She asked.

"It j-just my tourettes, little anxious."

"Ah no sweat kid. Radiology can be quite relaxing." She flashed a smile which Kapi figured was a helping one.

Just as Agoti reached the elevator it opened, a lone employee exiting. They raised they're hands up instinctively, seeing a digidevil charging them, an army of guards following.

"Out of the way! Out of the way!" Agoti shouted. It was enough to snap the employee out of their fear and they ran out, instinctively ducking as a hostage would. Agoti grabbed them and threw them out of the elevator.

With the mash of a button Agoti managed to get the doors closed. He hit a floor up.

Outside the elevator, a frustrated squad captain paged security.

"Initiate the TAG protocol." He said into a walkie."

You heard the message from within the surveillance room. Another one came through, this time directed to you.

"Surveillance report. Status."

You guess they were referring to Agoti. "Suspect on elevator."

"No. Who's with you? Status on guards. We need all the help we can get."

"Just me here. The two other guys left earlier."

"Copy that. Where is the elevator heading?"

"Uh, how do I-?"

"What is it your first day? CHECK THE CONSOLE. IT SHOULD SAY." Someone shouted into the com.

"Uh, 4F, then 10F." You stammer. You didn't want to give Agoti away, but your cover was starting to be blown.

"Copy that. Name, number and division, soldier!" They shouted on the other end.

"I-I'm Anon. I just started today. I'm with surveillance. I work for Blake."

"Helluva day to start. Copy that. Stay there. You give updates. This is squad leader, Niall, in full command of the situation. Code name this Incident #45."

"Uh, copy that." While working for the police there was a language spoken about procedures and operations. This was much different from what you had to do in the police. You weren't sure if you were supposed to be writing this down.

"God. I'm dealing with idiots!" You hear Rick shout from the other end. Then the line went quiet. You watch as one of the guards, you presume Rick, leads a group of guards to 4F. Some head to the fire stairs, bolting up fast.

Another contingent of guards takes a second elevator. You watch as the console lights up 10F. They were going to try and route him.

You close the surveillance door, putting a chair in front, just in case. You check the cameras. Agoti was in the elevator going up, Tabi was nowhere to be found and Kapi was presumably in the sanctum wing. You couldn't find any cameras that displayed that area.

"Agoti, what's your status?"

"They're pissed. Dunno how much long I can keep this up. Imma head up to the 10th floor, make a run for the bridge and then work my way down the second building then that's it."

"Tabi, what about you? Can't see you."

"MMhhpphh!" Tabi coughed. "I-I I'm on my way. Just had to take a break. T-to the manager's office."

You couldn't reach Kapi anymore, let alone S. You hoped they were okay.

Recalling that the earlier call you find the directory and call HR. It rings for a bit as you watch the receptionist realize and come running to the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, this is Anon from security. It's about that man you called about earlier."

"O-oh! Yes. He's still here, I think. Haven't you sent anyone? Er, I guess you wouldn't with that crazed lunatic running around."

"Yeah, about that. There was a miscommunication. He is the maintenance guy. He'll just quickly fix something in the manager's office and be on his way."

"I see. So he's safe?"

"Yes."

"Ah, well, okay, um, thank you." You hung up. Hopefully that would get everyone off Tabi's back.

Looking up there was a mass of guards assembling at the 4th floor doors. Agoti had accidentally hit the button while trying escape and it had to make a stop.

On the mic you warn him. "Agoti, got an army waiting for you outside 4F."

"Got it. I have an idea." You watch as Agoti looks up and jumps. Using the tentacles on his head he forces a maintenance shaft open, climbing out of sight.

You had to hand it to him. Guy was extremely crafty.

You try paging Kapi and S again but no response. You recall Displo mentioning that area was secluded but shake your head. He better be okay.

I need to stop. Tabi thought after downing another paczki. He knew at this pace he'd get sick. He quickly closed the box, about half of them remaining.

Maybe just a few for the road. Finding a large plastic bag he quickly put a few in before running off. The office was still abandoned, everyone looking over the railing at the commotion below. He guessed by now it must have been Agoti. The sound had quieted down, he then guessed Agoti had run off somewhere.

Manager's offices were situated in the centre of the floor. Unlike the rest of the employees they had their own mostly frosted glass wall making them into private offices. It was in here that Tabi would find what he needed.

There were four of them, lined up in a 2x2 grid. Trying the doors on all of them, they were locked except one. Stepping in he found the computer open and still unlocked. He presumed the owner to be watching the distraction outside.

Maybe S would know what do get? Tabi tried paging S but no luck. The line was open, and you answer. "Tabi, what's going on?"

"I'm on a computer, what do I grab?"

Displo chimed in first. "What is it running?"

"I don't know."

"On the keyboard push Ctrl+T."

"It didn't do anything."

"Well that rules out most Unix-systems. With the keyboard and mouse do hold the left shift key and right click with the mouse. Does that menu say anything about PowerShell or command prompt?"

"It says PowerShell."

"Good. Now listen to me closely."

An army of guards waited at the door. The squad leader, who you only knew as Niall was waiting intently. While you'd seen them with pistols, a few were now holding rifles. While Displo had assured you it was nonlethal rounds you were still worried.

The doors departed, showing an empty elevator.

"What the?" The leader stepped inside, looking around. Then he looked up.

He paged you, pushing something on his uniform.

"Surveillance. Status on suspect."

"I-I don't know. He was just there a second ago."

"Well rewind it then!" The leader, furious stepped out of the elevator. Before it closed he opened fire on the interior, hitting all around it.

"If he was invisible then he'll appear any second now. HURRY UP CHECK DAMNIT."

You deliberately wait until the doors close, much to the anger of the leader. You pretend to bumble and not know how to rewind the footage. You really had no idea, but the point was to stall.

Once the doors closed, Agoti climbed back into the elevator, nonchalantly. He had such a malicious grin. He gave a thumbs up to the camera.

"I got him. He's back in the elevator. It looked like he hid atop, moving the maintenance window. Elevator approaching 10F."

"So help me, once we catch this freak you and I are gonna have a little chat." The leader said threateningly. He was pissed.

Much as you wanted to lie they would have been able to figure it out as well. You hear one of the guards on the line talking to IT. It was only a matter of time till your cover was blown.

"Copy that." You say.

"Oh you better copy that."

"New guy? gal? Doesn't matter. I want you to activate a building-wide lockdown. We're not letting this freak escape us. Initiate sequence SOL." Another page came through.

"On it." You say, ignoring the request. You knew better than to trigger a lockdown.

You page Agoti soon as the other line goes dead.

"They're heading to the 10th floor. Be careful."

Kapi stepped into a large open white room filled with various equipment. He was fascinated, the door having somehow just appeared when the scientist stepped in front of it. He had no idea if this was where he needed to be.

He knew nothing of all the large industrial-looking machines or the many lab coats running around doing things. The whole setup looked futuristic to him.

He looked at his phone, writing up a note that said, "Start looking." S knew what to do. He leapt from Kapi's phone into a nearby terminal and started his search.

The scientist led Kapi to an open chamber. It had what looked like a futuristic bed and sink.

"Just wait here and I'll get the samples." The scientist motioned Kapi in. He did so and as soon as he was in, she hit a button. A visible electrical field propped up in a grid.

It was a prison cell. He jumped.

Despite the sudden betrayal none of the other scientists noticed or cared. They were too focused on their research.

The feline scientist merely crossed her arms, glaring at Kapi. She merely laughed.

"I can't believe you fell for that. Radiology samples? We barely deal with radiological work." She laughed again. "Alright, 'Narancia'. And don't even tell me that's your name. I knew Narancia. She moved to Italy a few months back. Wanna tell me what's really going on? Speak. And maybe I won't use you as a test subject."

Kapi's heart skipped a beat, fear gripping him.

"Now hit the enter key. In a serious circumstance we'd now have access to the files. You're pretty much done. Now get out. That is what is called a 'backdoor'. Self-replicating to. IT will be very angry when it is discovered." Displo said.

"That it?"

"We set up a backdoor entry on that computer. I can now access anything from there. Good job, Tabi."

You watch the cameras. Agoti had gotten out of the elevator on the 10th floor and was running to the bridge between buildings. A squad was behind him. The cameras only displayed what was happening in the first building. Looking at the bridge camera you realize it was too late. On the other end of the bridge was another contingent of guards. There was nowhere to run.

You page but Agoti realizes it too, coming to a halt, nearly toppling over. In front of him were a group of guards, armed and ready to open fire. He looked back, another group armed. The leader shouted at him to stand down.

"FREEZE!"

He half-considered smashing through the glass and doing some insane parkour but you page gets through to him.

"Use the flag!"

With that Agoti knelt down and drew the red flag, holding it up high.

The guards rushed him, the leader taking charge.

"You're in for a world of hu-" He stopped as Agoti showed him the flag.

As if he had just been shot the leader was out of breath, eyes wide. He nearly fell over in shock. He heard some guards say it was a test, them congratulating each other.

But the leader knew better.

It was a distraction.

"MOTHERF-"

"So when did these ticks start?" The scientist asked. She had a clip board and was writing stuff down. Kapi had abandoned his lab coat and was just wearing his regular red, blue and orange hoodie. He was sitting on an examination table, his red flag next to him. His lab coat had been neatly folded, sitting underneath the flag.

While he had surrendered, S had promised to get out and finish Kapi's job. He was jumping around from computer to computer grabbing his lions share of documents.

Since he had surrendered the scientist had taken a liking to him, giving him a lollypop and an examination. She had formally introduced herself as Elexa.

"Since I was a kid." Kapi said as he looked around. He was still in the holding cell, but she had turned the electric bars off. "I can work it out with games. Lotta DDR." He said. While he was still nervous, he was a lot calmer since being caught. He was kicking his legs along, enjoying the cherry flavour of the lolly.

"That is a very healthy strategy. I used to play that a long time ago. Never was too good."

Seeing an opportunity, Kapi went for it. "Well if you ever want to practice, I practically run the Flashpoint Arcade across town. Could always use a partner." He said with confidence.

Elexa laughed. "I think I'll take you up on that offer, Kapi." She continued writing. "You know." She said, smiling. "We do some research on the brain, tourettes isn't something we have been experimenting on. We could always use more subjects. You'd get paid of course."

"I-I'll pass. Maybe later." He relaxed his tail. "So you aren't security?"

The scientist shook her head. "Nope. Not even a supervisor. Just really fascinated by the whole security stuff. Always wanted to do that whole 'fake room' trick. Thanks for letting me do it. Are your friends still in?" Elexa asked.

"I'm not sure. I haven't been able to reach them."

"Well, let's get you to the lobby. Management's gonna wanna see this. And good attempt, but if you were going to try and break in here, I'd say you need more practice." She petted Kapi, his ears twitching up as she did.

"I want half the units to 5F, and I WANT SOMEONE TO GO INVESTIGATE WHOEVER 'ANON' IS!" The squad leader shouted. Now that the pentest was out any unusual thing would be scrutinized.

To make matters worse, another person had made a call about Tabi earlier, this time directly to the leader, bypassing you. The leader was pissed, calling practically everyone to the HR department to deal with Tabi.

"Tabi, (Y/N). Bad news, that leader has sent out a company wide e-mail advising employees to be vigilant. Be careful." Displo said.

The leader knew that Agoti was a distraction and wanted to quash the rest of this 'pentest' before it got even more out of hand. He growled over the line saying, 'heads will roll'.

"Tabi's they're onto you. Get out of there." You see him getting to the elevator. Noticing on another cam you see some guards starting to huddle around that same elevator in the lobby.

They hadn't cut your access to the cameras or weren't able to. You kept watching closely. You also had the advantage being able to watch what guards were near you. Agoti had drawn most of the security away. There was nobody near both you or Tabi.

"Get back here! THIEF!" Someone shouted at Tabi. It wasn't a guard, rather a vigilant employee. They were holding some sort of stick, running towards Tabi.

"Tabi, take the stairs. They're waiting for you at the elevator. They're onto me as well. We gotta go!"

"Got it." Ignoring the elevator he followed exit signs until he found the service stairs, running down them. He ran, easily outpacing the vigilante.

Hearing the person running after he knelt down beside the door and waited till the footsteps got loud enough. With a push he slammed the metal door into them, knocking them down. He heard them curse, a few other employees rushing to ask if they were okay.

Looking at the other cameras you finally spotted Kapi. He was with some anthro in an elevator talking. She was carrying Kapi's flag.

"Displo. Kapi's been compromised."

"Unfortunate. That leaves Tabi. Any word on S?"

"Right here buddy!" S declared from your phone. You pull it out. S was holding a large paper sack, holding the files in it. "Gotta love that catguy. He didn't rat me out!"

"(Y/N), it is up to you and Tabi. Make for the side entrance." Displo commanded. "Then we shall conclude."

"You see, Kapi got caught but I can still travel around freely. Got the goods then waited till one of the technies went on lunch. Hopped in their phone and now I'm here!" S declared. He was excited, an excited look on his face.

Practically jumping down the stairs, Tabi ran. The sugar was giving him a rush of energy. It felt as if he was a cheetah instead of a goat. He ran down the service stairs, not a soul in sight.

Reaching the lobby he just continued running, heading towards the surveillance room. Some people had shouted to stop but he paid no attention. He needed to get out. He just barely made out Agoti shouting for him to run.

You watch on the cameras as Tabi gets to your location. With Kapi and Agoti captured there was nothing left here. You half consider asking S to delete the footage but figure they probably need it for the test.

You step out of the room just as Tabi enters the hallway. "Let's go!" You shout.

You both step outside into the alley. The guards hadn't been anticipated your escape from there, apparently expecting you to rush to the front lobby.

The door closes behind you. Your car was in sight but empty. Displo was gone. Just as you round the corner a familiar voice pipes up as does a familiar hand on your shoulder.

"That won't be necessary, (Y/N). This operation has concluded." It was Displo. He was standing at the entrance waiting for you.

Tabi was out of breath. "Did, huh, we, ha, win?" He wiped his snout, some jam having still remained, staining the bone.

"Sort of. Under normal circumstances we would just leave but since this is an official test it is over. We have escaped. Take a minute breather and meet me inside." He nodded to you and walked into the front entrance.

Guards poured out, ready to open fire on you and Tabi. They all stopped, seeing Displo. He waved a hand to them. "This test has been concluded. We have won."

A few of them cursed, a few more stared daggers at you and Tabi and a few gnashed their teeth. But they relented and returned back inside, pissed you and Tabi had 'gotten away'.

You look at Tabi. He was huffing, clearly having done more running than he'd done in a while. Looking at his jacket and snout you had a question.

"Tabi, did...did you kill someone?"

"Huhhh, what?" He said out of breath.

"The blood," There were what appeared to be bloody stains all over his face and jacket. There seemed to be ink stains too.

"No. I *huff* hungry. Donuts." He pulled out a plastic bag of what looked to be jelly donuts. A few were squished, some sort of jam oozing out.

"Ah, well. Good job man." You congratulate him. Putting an arm around his shoulder you lead him into the lobby. You notice a few cop cars pull up as you enter. Someone must have called the police.

The lobby, still in relatively clean shape was filled with employees. AS you looked around you saw all the 'performers'. There was a large group of armed guards, one of them holding Agoti, arms behind his back. There was some sort of cat-like scientist with Kapi. Beside them all were the managers. And beside them stood Solazar and Displo. The managers had a mixture of looks on their faces, some angry, some surprised, some impressed.

Track 17 - Blind Fallout


"We're all sick in our ways."


Despite Agoti's innocence, the squad leader was still pissed and was rough with him. Had it not been from all the other events he would have had Agoti in an interrogation room.

He hadn't thrown him to the ground yet but had been forcing Agoti to move, acting like a slave driver. The leader purposely went faster, just so he could tug Agoti along, pretending to get annoyed that Agoti was going slow. They had even put him in cuffs, an action completely unnecessary.

It barely hurt Agoti so he didn't say anything. He just kept his mischievous grin upright, knowing full well this guard was screwed anyways. His expression only changed when he stepped out in the lobby. Standing among the managers was...Solazar?

"You can release him now." Sol commanded the leader. The leader had briefly considered demanding who this 'blue-guy' commanding him but the managers standing amongst him told him what he needed to know.

Free now, Agoti walked up to Sol.

"Dad?" He asked surprised.

"You put on quite a show out there today. Dare I say, one of your best performances." He gave a small clap.

"You watched?"

"Of course I did. Spoke to your friend, that representative. I couldn't have missed it for the world. I am very proud of you."

You, Displo and Tabi entered, drawing attention there. You were practically carrying Tabi holding one of his arms up as he walked. His jacket and face were stained.

"What the..? Y-you." Tabi was taken aback by Sol's presence. He growled, though not voluntarily.

"And you. You did quite a good job today." Sol said, nodding at him.

Tabi was starting to crash from all the sugar he ate, his mind unable to process that Sol had seen it all. He just muttered "Thanks." He felt like throwing up. Having not eaten anything for hours and breaking the fast by overdosing on sugar had sent his body into shock.

The operation had come to a close. Displo assembled the group plus Solazar for a makeshift huddle. He explained that the important parts were done and that he'd handle the fallout. He continued, explaining that everyone would have to be interviewed about what they saw, how they proceeded, etcetera. He asked everyone to stick around and said that the money would be wired later today.

He also asked S to delete all that he stole, something S had no problem doing. "It's all boring numbers stuff anyways."

"Take a hour break as I set up everything then come back. We need to interview everyone, make sure managements know how we got in, what we stole, etc. I don't think we'll need a meeting tonight." Displo concluded.

You add that there will be a meeting tomorrow to discuss what was learned.

With that everyone split up, waiting on the interviews. Tabi, now sick from his donut overdose was sitting with you on one of the lounge couches, trying not to throw up. You'd decided to stay with him, keep him company. He was just hunched over, hand on his mouth staring at the floor tiles.

He didn't say anything but he was really feeling the smoking withdrawal. He hadn't touched the stuff in days, deciding that between staying in shape he needed to save money.

You thought of offering to take him for dinner but food seemed to be the last thing on his mind. Maybe later.

You weren't sure where the others had got off to.

Displo had given you a 'results' page about the event which you were reading over. While sitting next to Tabi you read the report.

Operation Blindside

Participants

(Y/N), codenamed: Anon - escaped

S - escaped

Kapi, codenamed: Narancia - caught

Agoti, codenamed: Distraction - caught

Tabi, codenamed: Joseph - escaped

Displo - escaped*

*Operation was ended before this could occur. Likely would have succeeded either way.

Breaches and Thefts

- IRIS main network compromised.

- Documents relating to various classified projects stolen out of the Inner Sanctum.

- Threat actor was able to obtain documents through RF transmission from 'Narancia's' cellular device. Device should have been confiscated following capture.

- Backdoor established through HR department, giving read-only access to most employee personal information. IDS failed at detecting intrusion.

- Surveillance system was compromised, extremely possible (Y/N) could have caused serious damage to it.

- (Y/N) should not have been given access without key card, should not have been given access to the room, should not have been left unattended, should not have been allowed to sign in without a signature or ID or any sort.

You smirk at that part. They really screwed up there. Continuing on...

- Building teams A and B were successful in apprehending 'distraction'.

- Employees were vigilant about "Joseph" entering the HR department. Should have been more vigilant. One employee minor injured after taking a door to the face. Employees did not check suspect for identification and failed to do any calendar auditing to ensure suspect actually had an appointment.

- IT completely failed in detecting a breach.

- Incident response team did not activate soon enough, did not act immediately upon detecting intrusion. Palo Alto's IDS/IPS systems failed. SLA violated.

- Sanctum scientist, Elexa awarded for being the most vigilant, capturing 'Narancia' before he could do any damage.

A comment was scribbled next to it. 'Good going guys. That biologist managed to upstate the ENTIRE SECURITY TEAM. DAMMIT WHY HAS NO ONE IMPLEMENTED THE SECURTY GATES YET!'. You continue reading.

- Responsibility of the Sanctum network deferred to Sanctum team, not scientists. Failed.

- Security forgot about a potential incident in HR department, preferring to send all forces to deal with the distraction instead.

- Anon was not properly vetted upon entering the back rooms.

Success Rate: 65/100. Following through with distraction capture, teams might have been able to get him to give up other members. Unlikely scenario because of how fast the team was able to escape. Police might have had to been called.

Admin Comments: Considering this was this team's first outing it's not good. Not the worst outcome we could have had but definitely showed weakness in our systems. Will do some serious re-organizing to prevent a serious attack. A lot of our own rules were proven faulty.

We will need to schedule a meeting posthaste following...

Putting the paper down you reflect on what was needed for the finale.

The main takeaways you note down were that you needed a better plan, a proper getaway driver, a control point hideout, someone to do better recon, have a proper floor plan and a possible demolitionist or someone to get rid of the tapes. You also noted that during the real heist you could cause as much damage as possible, a perk you were not allowed this time. You didn't think the people at the compound would fall for the 'I'm new here trick'.

You and Tabi weren't alone in the lobby. Plenty of the workers were still going about their day. Nearby the managers in deep discussion with various security guards and other personal. One of them was freaking out how "nobody noticed the Sonic virus going around the network."

Looking at your phone, S was gone. You weren't sure where he went, other than to deal with some personal things. You were starting to get used to him just outright vanishing. You were just glad he was still on your side. It looked otherwise for a quick second.

The resulting break-in had only energized him. It was like he was blood lusted. He said he was ready to go another round and you had to calm him down from destroying IRIS' own network. And then, just as his bloodlust was growing he said he had news to go watch about Mobius.

The police had shown up as well. Apparently after Tabi's doorslam, some employees had called them up. According to the report this in itself was a violation as security was only authorized to call them. You shrug it off, the concept of that not making much sense. Either way apparently someone was in trouble for wasting police time. Even though they were told the situation was resolved they came in anyways.

You were recognized instantly, a few cops asking how it was going. You just told them you were in charge of doing security tests now. One asked if you had received the Easter gift they organized. You had no idea what they were talking about.

When one commented on Tabi's appearance you merely told them to piss off. Bringing their attention back to you they started to ask what you were even doing here. You didn't really want to talk at first but explaining that your job was to break in to companies made them jealous. It felt good to gloat at them.

Tabi merely glared at them the whole time, not saying a single word. He even flipped them off once their backs were turned. Realizing their appearance here was a waste of time and useless they left without saying goodbye.

"You feeling better?" You ask Tabi. He was on his phone now, the sugar crash having passed. He was still hunched over. A few paper cups were on the short table in front, Tabi having downed several cups of water, as was the small water puddle on the ground under him.

"Yeah. Those guys, your friends?"

"Pfft, not anymore. Screw 'em."

Tabi had even cleaned up his face, getting rid of the stains. He did so in full sight, spilling some water on the ground. His jacket was still stained though, however the stains were the least of his concerns. The hoodie itself was in rough shape.

"So, those donuts. What did you call them?"

"Packzi's."

"What are they?"

"They're a polish donut. They make them to celebrate ash Wednesday."

"You brought them in?"

Tabi shook his head. "They were having some going away thing. I was hungry. Here. You wanna try one?" Tabi reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a clear plastic bag. There were a few of the powdered sugar covered donuts. Some were a bit squished, a chocolate filling oozing out of one and jam out of another. They had seen better days.

"You just took them?"

He shrugged. "You said our mission was to steal. Do you want one or not?"

"Can't argue with that. Sure. Lemme try one."

He opens the bag and hands you one of the donuts. It was sticky to the touch, the powdered-sugar probably having been warmed by his body-heat.

He was still wearing his finger-less gloves, no doubt to hide his boney-palm. The sugar made an imprint on them.

You bite into it, chocolate filling stains around your mouth. It was sickly sweet, but not that bad. It was too much sweetness for you. Would've preferred one of the jam-filled ones but you weren't going to complain. You finish it quickly, wiping the stains on your uniform sleeve.

It would have been nice to have a glass of milk nearby.

"Not bad. Bit sweet though."

"Reminds me of back in Europe."

"Ah. So you're polish?"

"Russian. I have family there though." Tabi put the bag away. While he loved them, he didn't want to eat anymore. Better to save them for later.

You sit up slightly. "So what did you think of the operation?" Tabi asks.

"We could have done better. Think I could've thrown them off Agoti better. I was expecting it to be harder, threw me off." You say.

"I don't think sending in Kapi was a good idea."

You were in agreement, though you weren't sure what he could have done if not for that. "Yeah, pretty much. He was supposed to be our hacker originally. We just gotta find a better role for him. At least S did a good job."

You noticed Tabi had gotten slightly closer. Someone was staring and it was getting on his nerves. He was blaring in some other direction. You look. It was just some random employee. Seeing the both of you looking they just turned and walked away, bumping into Displo and falling over.

"How much longer do we have to be here?" Tabi asked, annoyed. Much to his chagrin you had encouraged him to keep his hood down. Everyone could see what he looked like. He didn't like it but you claimed it would better than looking suspicious. He at least kept his hat on, giving some semblance of anonymity.

"Not much, I'm sure....hey, if you're free tonight, you wanna go for dinner? Just you and me."

Tabi looks away. "Thanks, but I'm a little short on cash right now."

"I'll pay. My treat."

"You sure? I don't want to be-"

"It's no worries man. We'll go to Displo's. We get a discount anyways." You add.

He looks back to you, eyes looking as if he was studying you. Despite that in his eye sockets were two lights they still could give off expressions.

"A-alright. I'll, uh, eat light though. I'm still pretty full from the paczskis."

While you had originally though Tabi to just be a man of few words talking with him you'd noticed he was more guarded than anything. He just feigned it with grumpiness and that whole "strong, silent type" persona. You wondered why you were even analyzing him so. You'd never done that with anyone back at the station.

Something about him had you interested in who he was. You just looked back at him, trying to read him.

"Tabi, (Y/N). Do you have a minute?" Displo asked, snapping the both of you out of your 'moment'.

"Yeah, what's up?" You ask Displo.

"I-uh. Excuse me. I'll be back. I'm going to the washroom, clean-up." Tabi got up suddenly and left.

Displo went around the table and took a seat across from you, putting one leg over the other. "I've been looking over the stats about the mission, comparing it to our endgame plan."

"Okay."

"If it's not obvious we are going to need a lot more people. I am still trying to find out who built the compound but I was looking at the photos our friends took. I was thinking that when we do this need to cover all our of bases."

"Sure."

"And there is an attack vector we are currently missing, badly. Without this covered we are effectively 'screwed'."

"Okay...?" You weren't sure what he was getting at.

"Well, you see. I was inspired by how S was able to penetrate the network zones and escape. And well, there was also during our cloud-friends little-invasion..." Displo trailed off, clear he was beating around the bush.

"You're losing me."

He put his hand on the bottom of his TV head, stroking it as if he had a beard.

"As much I don't personally like it I think we will need a magic user."

"A magic user? Huh."

Magic.

A whole parallel system to technology. You weren't a magic user and had barely touched the stuff yourself. You recall briefly messing around with it but never got serious about it. Crime took precedence.

There were constant 'magic vs. tech' debates back in school but you never cared much for them.

There was a whole process to it you knew nothing about. You recall a few cops on the force using it in place of traditional weaponry but you rarely, if ever interacted with them. You knew of card tricks but no idea if that counted as real 'magic'.

"I take it you are familiar with the concept."

"Yeah, never used it though."

"For shame. Alas, it is an area of expertise I am unfamiliar with. Even here, we tend not to use the system. Perhaps Tabi or the others will know."

"What about Updike?"

Displo shook his head. "That is impossible. While we share common enemies, his disdain for us is immeasurable. And judging by what I know they don't like magic per se."

"What exact-"

"I'm afraid that's classified. And please, do not mention him in this building. It is, shall we say, a cursed word to utter here."

"Alright. Just note it down. We'll discuss it at the next meeting."

"Very well." Displo stared up before remembering something. "Oh, Kapi wished to speak with you privately. I do not know where he has run off to though. Last I saw he was speaking with that scientist that caught him."

"I'll try to find him later."

The rest of the day went smoothly. They eventually got to interviewing you. One of the guards cried foul that a former cop was used to get in and that it wasn't fair and 'broke the common trust between officers'. You merely scoffed at the idea, trying not to bring up what you had been through two weeks ago. Displo also gave you a sideways glance when they claimed that.

He silently agreed.

Tabi had returned shortly thereafter, claiming he needed to wash his face and vest. With Displo informed, you agreed to meet Tabi later that night. You weren't able to find Kapi after all was said and done. Apparently after concluding his interview he went to the arcade with that scientist, apparently forgetting whatever he wanted to talk with you about.

hours later, and now sitting at the same booth you had saved for Tabi weeks prior; you and he were at dinner. You were starting to develop an affinity for him, figuring he could use the break.

There was no meeting tonight, the next one having been scheduled for tomorrow night. Displo was still around but it was a quiet service.

The managers had intended as a group to hang out but when the IRIS president caught wind of the break-in he was furious, and made them all stay overtime to fix the security holes.

In the fallout not many customers were present. In the private areas, Displo had taken it upon himself to act as the waiter, though he understood this wasn't a business meeting. It was just a dinner between friends.

Displo had already come by and brought some fresh bread with a small bowl of garlic-infused butter. The bread was still steaming, having been freshly prepared. Tabi had barely touched the stuff, you having had a few pieces already. He was looking aimlessly, occasionally glancing at his empty plate.

It was then that your hypothesis began to form. Between gorging the donuts, him hiding his eating the other day and his occasional stomach growling during meetings you had a question.

You also knew that he being a musician possibly came with issues. And surely you weren't the only one thinking it. Better to ask it now instead of someone else blurting it out in front of the group. The question was eating at you too, so you just come out and say it.

"Do you have an eating disorder?"

"A vhat?" He said, looking surprised as ever. His glowing eyes widened in shock and he blinked a few times. His accent even creeped in, moreso than usual.

"Like issues eating. Psychologi-"

"W-why would you think that? I just look like this. I don't have any-" Tabi started to get upset. It was clear he wasn't hiding anything here. You but in with the 'proof'.

"Well, it's just last time we had dinner you hid, your stomach's always growling. Oh, and you gorged on the donuts today, said your gonna skip appetizers. You haven't touched the bread either."

As if a realization had hit him he slouched back, his eyes dimming slightly. "I...oh. I see." He understood. He let out a sigh.

"You promise not to tell anyone?"

"You got my word."

"I don't have a lot of money. I eat sparingly." He said quietly.

"Yeah, but the bread's free. And so was the other night's meal." It didn't add up. Your inner-detective was starting to put together the pieces.

"Humph. Can't put anything past you cops." He mumbled, looking away.

"It's alright man. I won't tell anyone."

"It's just...urgh." It was clear he was getting uncomfortable with the conversation. If he didn't want to discuss you weren't going to force him.

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay."

Take a deep breath he looked at you again. While his eyes always shown some form of determination or anger, or guard he looked sad. They flickered ever so slightly like wind blowing through a candle.

"You see the way I am. A freak."

"C'mon don't say that."

"No. I. Damn. I'm still a regular person. It's just. When I eat...argh. Just look." He was struggling to put it into words. The sadness was turning to embarrassment. It looked as if he cheeks were burning up.

He ripped a piece of bread and ate it, swallowing quickly. With his hand he traced it going down his throat, moving his hoodie and shirt collar out of the way.

Through his semi-invisible throat you could see the food go down, disappearing somewhere below his shirt.

You weren't sure what the deal was.

Meanwhile, his eyes were flickering more wildly. He had quickly covered himself back up, even putting his hat back on. It looked as if he wasn't going to run off at any moment. Like he revealed some dark secret. He looked off to the side, not wanting to make eye contact.

You notice him briefly look at you from the side then glance away quickly.

"That's it?" You say, unsure what you were supposed to be looking at.

"It doesn't weird you out?" He said quietly.

"No. C'mon man. Sure you aren't normal but you're still cool. I doubt anyone's noticed either and I'm sure if they do, they don't care." You were surprised that it seemed to be such a big deal.

You continue.

"Look. Nobody on the team is normal. Hell, even I got my own problems. We're all sick in our own ways."

"I-"

"Bro you look cool! What with the whole goat visage. You look badass!" You blurt out, getting a little fed up of the self-pity.

Tabi slowly turned back to you and removed his hat. He looked at you, yellow eyes staring directly at you. They flashed white briefly. In almost a whisper he asked.

"Y-you really don't think I'm a freak do you?"

Carefully you reach for his gloved hand. You touch it loosely.

"No. Never have. I've said it before. You're one of the coolest guys I've met. We never had anyone like you on the force."

"T-thank you, (Y/N)." He said, quietly and placed his hat back on the rack. His voice was trembling ever so slightly.

The sound of footsteps interrupted Tabi's thoughts and he pulled back.

Displo walked by, holding a tray. "Your drinks. How are you finding the evening?" He had dropped most sense of camaraderie and was acting much more formal now. He was in his zone and not acting as a member of the crew.

"Good." You say.

"Yes." Tabi said, still quiet.

"You both ready to order?"

Tabi goes first after glancing at you. You swore he smiled but wasn't sure. "I'm gonna start with an appetizer actually." He said, a little more cheerful.

Track 18 - Doughnuts


"I don't think I'm cut out for this whole thing."


The rest of the dinner went smoothly. For the first time, Tabi expressed some kind of happiness, having no problem eating. He seemed a bit more energetic now, optimistic even and talking a lot more too. He was still very guarded, but it was as if he was coming out of his shell. He clamped up whenever Displo or someone walked by but otherwise seemed a little more relaxed than usual.

You dropped him off by his apartment building and he thanked you for the good dinner, promising to make it up at some point.

In private, Displo remarked asking if he had snuck in booze, noting that he was lot more outgoing all of sudden.

After the success of the operation you decided to take the next day off, relaxing at home. After an argument, S took most of his files off your computer. You thought that was the end of that, but the package delivery listed for "S" said otherwise.

He had hacked into some storefront and got a multi-terabyte hard drive and NAS shipped to your house where his files were now residing. He even instructed you on how to set the whole thing up, chastising when you plugged the wrong wire in the wrong plug. It was now quietly humming away under your desk, covered by a piece of paper. You told him not to do that again so as to not bring unwarranted attention to your home.

At first he seemed to not care at all, claiming he could just hack-in and re-direct the cops. Another argument occurred and you concluded to him that until the actual heist you had to keep a low profile. Doing all sorts of hacking and fraud would result in attention.

S seemed to understand that ultimately agreeing. "I'm still gonna keep scraping though! You can't stop me there!" He chided.

You didn't have an issue with that.

Tabi texted you for the good night, again thanking you for taking him out to dinner. You were still feeling a bit sluggish from last night, having eaten a bit too much. After all you and him split 2 appetizers, plus the free bread, plus your mains and you both had desert after. You were stuffed.

Through mid-morning another text came through. It was an unknown number but clearly stated it was Kapi. He wrote that he had something to discuss privately and if you could come by his bakery today at some point. He included an address.

It was his day job. You knew of the area, used to patrol it at one point in time. It was in a rough part of the city.

The location was listed as The PK Doughnut Shop. You'd seen the place before but never gone in.

Deciding not to use the tacticool gear you don your 'detective' outfit. A sand-coloured trench coat and business casual attire. It was chilly outside, the car radio mentioning something about a cold front coming in. At least traffic was light.

The news report was on the radio and some headlines brush past your ears.

"An arrest was made in the recent arson of Tess' Diner and Grill. Local officers are said to be taking the case very seriously."

You wonder if Tess would make a good addition to the team.

"Due to circumstances surrounding the case, the Banhammer Law has been evoked, the police chief said." You knew what that meant. Meant that the case pissed off someone powerful. You figure that'll be the last anyone will hear of it. You note to maybe tell Tess later.

"There has been another disappearance in the Cherry Tree Park. Locals have described the place as cursed and have been discouraging civilians to venture in it past 8:00PM. Please note that despite being a park, the area is private property."

"In other news, the transitions from Flash to Ruffle has been going smoothly, the project having just reached 10,000+ commits."

You just switch the music back on, some electronic tune playing.

In-between waiting at lights and driving to the shop you wondered about Kapi. He wanted to talk yesterday but vanished. You weren't sure what it was about. Playing back Kapi's movements you didn't recall him doing anything wrong. Sure he got caught, but nobody was expecting it to go smoothly. He, through S was ultimately successful anyways. And it's not like you had anyone else to send in. Everyone had to make do with who was on the team. Agoti was the perfect distraction, Tabi could've done better but had confidence issues, and Kapi and S were the only people that could have gotten into the Sanctum. Kapi was the only 'normal' person that could have disguised.

And based on what you had heard it was an overzealous scientist that caught him. And even then, it was an unlucky fluke that the scientist even knew the person he was impersonating.

The donut shop was just near a cemetery, situated on a hill. It was in a small plaza consisting of a tiny parking lot and a few random stores. Pulling into the parking spot it all looked familiar. Between the tight parking and your partner having coeliac disease there was never an opportunity to explore.

It was also located at a busy intersection so parking on the road, even if you were enforcement, wasn't a smart idea. Just a poorly designed area all around.

Though since you had been here last, the place had gotten a bit better. Your partner used to describe the area as poor. Looking around you'd described it as 'lived-in'. It was a very local community, very blue-collar. It looked homely, even.

Next to the rustic-style door were two large windows allowing one to look in. There were a few people in the shop, sitting about. Some were on laptops. Others just enjoying the coffee.

Looking up you were greeted by the sign. It was a 3D model of a kitty molded out of paper, like origami. The cartoon lettering under it reading "The PK Doughnut Shoppe!"

Your interest in the place doesn't last long as you notice something painted on the brick just behind the cat. Your eyes narrow at it, moreso in preparation than anything.

Behind the cat was a neon painted circle, a rose centred in it. The paint had dripped slightly, distorting the image. While an untrained eye may think it a random act of vandalism you knew what it meant.

From work in the force and your own personal investigations you knew it to be the symbol of The Belladonnas.

As if your past flushes back your mind plays back their case file.

They were a street gang that was notorious for drug dealing, extortion and magical trafficking. They were one of the targets of your earlier cases, just before you settled on the Family. Their leader, a vagabond elf named Rosie was an excellent markswoman and excellent strategist. Even with your detective skills it was hard to pin a crime on her. And that was despite her not having anyone on the cop's side. She was ruthless.

After she was arrested you figured the gang would break apart. You weren't sure how long ago that was. How the group actually dealt with the fallout was beyond you. You didn't care at the time, figuring it was the end of that.

Not to mention that the Family was the group you were starting to set your sights on. You even didn't bother following the trial either.

You feel your breast pocket, just making sure the handgun was still there. You had to assume the worst. That this was their turf. It was unlikely they'd try anything, but you wanted to be prepared. The Belladonnas were the only other major enemy you had other than the Family.

If they even still existed. You shake your head.

For all you knew it could have just been a layover from Rosie's

era. You figure you'll ask Kapi about it later. A thought crosses your head you should message S for backup but decide it should be fine. He was way too into the news when you left anyways, didn't even say goodbye.

Before going in you take one brief look through the store window, scanning for familiar faces. You flinch upon seeing a a pink-cloud-like woman at one of the tables. She was speaking to some kind of masked man who looked agitated. You do a full stop and shake your head. It was your paranoia talking. Not every pink person was part of Rosie's gang. You compose yourself and step into the store, a bell ringing to signal your entrance. There was no sign of Kapi around.

The place had a British feel with old-school style cafe chairs with fancy backs, tables with small trays of baked goods and biscuits all around. It was unlike the usual 'donut shop'. More upscale than you were expecting either.

It was also exactly the kind of place you knew The Belladonnas would like to own. Fancy places.

In front was a clear counter displaying the goods of the day. It had all sorts of British style pasties, from sweet pies to sausage rolls and crumpets. On top of the counter was a sign depicting their types of teas.

Unsure if Kapi was going to come out and meet you take order a small coffee, sausage roll and take a seat. The Belladonnas usually had some form of identification, a pink garment they wore but alas nobody looked to have it on them. It still felt uneasy here.

A quick text to Kapi later he emerged from behind the counter, dressed all white, even with a puffy white hat. He was a baker. If the white clothing wasn't enough, it was the flour stains that covered the sides of his face.

"Thanks for coming, (Y/N). I don't wanna waste your time." He said, a little tired. You guess he's probably been there since early morning. He took a seat across.

You'd hardly touched your coffee, not really liking the stuff much. "You want it? I'm not gonna finish it." You offer.

"Oh thanks!" His ears perked up when you said that. In a quick second he took and downed the whole cup, the heat nor the lack of sugar and cream bothering him.

"So what's up? Nice place you got here."

"Oh, it's not mine. I just work here part-time. A-anyways. I wanted to talk about the operation." His ears drooped down a bit.

"I don't think I'm cut out for this whole thing."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just Tabi and Agoti. Those guys are like built for it. I got caught instantly. You too. You know this crime stuff like the back of your hand. And Displo's practically 007. Me? I lasted a few minutes and that was only cause of S." You saw it clearly now. Never mind the tire, he was depressed.

"Lied about the hacker thing too. S has got that over me." He held the empty cup, something to fidget with.

You dwelled on it. It had only been the one operation and he just got unlucky. But, at the back of your mind that thought that Kapi could flip wasn't good either. The last thing you wanted was him to go to the Family. He was more dangerous than he realized.

You proceed as if it were an interrogation. Stick to what you know.

"You got unlucky. Who could've expected that the person you run into be a close friend of who you were impersonating?"

"But I'm also the smallest of the crew. There's not much I can physically do."

"Ah, c'mon you just gotta use that to your advantage."

"And even my voice just isn't right. It's not the kind of voice for this kind of work."

You wave your hand. "You're just making stuff up now. Get a grip."

"But still. Even going through those labs. I was completely lost. I just..fumbled."

"Okay. So you feel useless compared to the others. Do you still want to be part of this thing?"

"Wow, when you put it like that geez. Yeah, I want to be part of this thing. I just can't. I'm not like you all."

You slouch. Those weren't the right words. Try again.

"Well..." You lean back in the chair arm over it. "There's gonna be other parts to the thing. Other angles and jobs. All the operation shone was that you just won't be one of main guys."

Despite it being mid-morning the place wasn't as busy as you thought. Still no sign of anything from the gang.

"Yeah, but even so. I messed up the first mission."

"So? There was no way everyone was going to get through. Agoti got caught too."

"But-"

"I'm sure you got other talents. There's a lot to this whole thing other than charge in and take." You say, not allowing Kapi to hide behind another excuse.

"Pfft. Like I'm sure DDR can help."

You take a bite of the sausage roll. Edible, but too flaky.

"You'd be surprised. Look. Come to the meeting tonight. I'm sure we can find something important for you."

"Yeah, but I also don't want to be some pencil pusher like Displo."

"Again, there's a lot more to this thing." A thought crossed your head. "Say, you aren't a magic user are you?"

Kapi shook his head. "Ah, well." Noticing Kapi's further disappointment you quickly change the subject.

"Didn't you say the other night were a driver?" You say aimlessly.

His ears perk up. "Yeah! I can drive!"

"Well there you have it. Displo was only the driver the other day because of a technicality. If you can race you can easily be a getaway driver. Displo's more of a commander-type guy."

"That is just unacceptable! I mean, eating with the customer. Come on." Someone had shouted at the register. It was loud enough for both you and Kapi to take notice.

Some customer was complaining to the cashier and getting heated. She held a purse that swung around madly as she complained.

"The employees are allowed to take their break wherever they please." The cashier politely said back.

"Not when they're tracking flour everywhere. The bakers are not to be seen in public. This is common sense! That's why there are break rooms!" She shouted back also motioning at Kapi.

"I-"

"No. I'm not interested in hearing your excuses. I want the manager!" The irritated customer said. The whole bakery was looking now. She had the centre of attention.

"Certainly." The cashier nodded and peaked her head into the back room.

You got a bit uneasy. If Rosie was the manager you'd also be in trouble.

Instinctively you put your hand into your coat breast, not realizing you were reaching for your gun. It was enough for Kapi to see, who went wide eyed.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kapi whispered, now anxious. He noticed your worried look.

Emerging from the back room was a tall, physically fit woman with long black hair flowing down. She had a kind face and smiled at the customer, a light voice asking, "What seems to be the problem?"

She was dressed in a white suite, a pink armband visible. You didn't know who they were, but the armband was a dead giveaway. You had thought the gang to have fallen apart but it looked like it was still active in some way.

You quickly withdraw your hand from the pocket and look down, not wanting to be seen. You hoped they didn't recognize you.

"I'll tell you what the problem is. It's that you have your customers having break on the main floor. That is not acceptable." The customer once again pointed to Kapi. He considered stepping in but knew better.

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way. We treat our employees like real people and if you have a problem, I ask you take your business elsewhere."

"What? How dare you! This is not normal. You cannot run a business like this! I mean, look at the flour."

"I will clean it up later. If you continue to disagree I won't hesitate to call security. Now. Leave."

"Why you...Humph. This place has gone to hell anyways. This whole area too!" She shouted, now realizing she was losing.

The manager just pointed towards the exit. The customer merely put her nose up and started walking out. Wanting to get the last word like a petulant child she spat.

"This whole neighborhood is not safe anymore. You people don't even know basic etiquette."

"Pfft. Whatever." Kapi spat, flicking flour into the air.

"Hmph."

And with that the customer left the store, bell ringing on the way out. With the customer gone the manager turned to the cashier asking if they were all right.

"Wow, can't believe some of the people here." Kapi said.

Turning to you his expression changed. "The heck was that though? Were you gonna shoot her?"

"I, uh. Just instincts." You say. You watch as the manager disappears back into the kitchen.

"Is there, uh, anything else you're good at?" You say, continuing the conversation. You were worried the manager saw you or knew you from a previous bust. Either way, your anxiety was up.

"Hmmm." Kapi thought. "Well, I know a little of robotics."

You motion with your hand as 'perfect'. "There you have it. Recon, networking, shoot you could probably help us infiltrate with a small drone or something. See? You know stuff."

Kapi sighed. "Yeah, but..." You prepare for another excuse. "Argh. It's just I can't think like that. I didn't think of that when we were first doing the rolls. I always figure that stuff out too late. Can't think on my feet like you can."

"Aw c'mon, that's just something we're gonna overcome. It's practically why we have multiple meetings. Don't worry. For the main thing we'll make sure everyone is one the same page. How good are you with flour?"

"What do you mean? I can bake. That's not gonna help-"

"Look at it this way. Flour is just a tool. Like you just flicked it now. You could use that like a smoke bomb or something. You just gotta think about it."

Suddenly Kapi's ears perk up. His mouth goes slightly ajar as he comes to a realization.

"I got it!" He said, a little louder. It attracts some customers attention. "Screw the flour! I know what I can do! Ohmanman. I need to write this down." His tail was swishing excitedly in-between the chair too.

Without explaining what got him so riled he pulled out his phone and started jotting notes down.

"Well...what is it?"

"No. I can't tell you yet. Ah! This is so good. Alright. Alright. I'll tell you at the meeting. I know what I'm gonna do." In just a few seconds he had 180'd his whole attitude. You weren't sure what he was plotting but it looked as if he was back on board.

The 'interrogation' was successful.

Kapi's phone went off suddenly, the sound of an alarm playing. "Oh, shoot! Break's over. Alright. I gotta go."

With Kapi back in the fold you had another question. "Wait, I wanna ask you something."

"Hurry up. Between this idea and work I'm gonna be swamped the resta the day."

You lean in closer, not speaking loudly. "Just outta curiosity, you know who Rosie Belladonna is?" The evidence of the Belladonnas was gnawing at you. You were curious if Kapi even knew this place might be part of a street gang.

"She's the manager, er, I'm not sure. She's my bosses' boss."

So she was out of prison. That meant it wasn't safe here.

"Thanks. I should get going." You stand up.

"Woah, hold on. You know her?" Kapi said, getting up as well.

"Once upon a time. We're, uh old acquaintances."

"Why? What happened? Were you a couple?"

"What? No. Nothing like that. Just do me a favour and don't mention me to her."

"Why? You can tell me."

You shake your head. "Just trust me. She hears I'm with you it won't end well." You say, leaving it at that.

"If you say so." Kapi said, not hiding the curiosity.

"Well, I'll see you tonight."

"Absolutely! You're gonna love what I have planned." Kapi said, curiosity being replaced with excitement.

After saying bye you left the store quickly. Last thing you wanted to do was get Kapi in trouble.

So Rosie was out? Had to have been on good behaviour. Maybe she was reformed. Or maybe she was still operating in the shadows. You shake the feeling off. If you were still a cop you would probably care but for now your focus was on the family. Your main hope now was that Kapi wouldn't let it slip. No doubt she would go after you. Or even kidnap and ransom him. She was a tough nut.

You jump as someone shouts from your phone.

"So that's where you've been hiding! Man, you're hard to find." S said. You put it on the dashboard holder and drive off when safe. He wasn't in any photo, rather just standing in a black background staring at you. The app icons were gone too.

"Where were you?" S was on the phone screen, arms folded, tapping his foot impatiently. His eyes were black voids as always, yellowed sharp teeth visible as he spoke. Despite his monstrous appearance it had long since stopped bothering you.

"You weren't at the store. I thought you ran out on me...Hey, are you listening to me?!" S said annoyed.

"I'm taking the day off. Had to see Kapi just now."

"Oh yeah, what does that hairball want?"

With the turn of the wheel you make it back onto the intersection.

"He's thinking of quitting."

"Like hell he is. I won't let him!"

"Relax, he was just depressed about yesterday."

S shrugged. "Depressed about what? What's he got to be sad about?"

"Well he got caught. Don't worry about it. He came up with some idea of what to do. Says he tell us at the meeting tonight."

Being mid-morning, traffic had lightened. There was still time before lunch and the morning rush had long ended.

"Alright but if he I hear him say he's got second thoughts it won't end well for him. He's my archnemesis after all!"

Satisfied, you return home, spending some time cleaning and taking the day easy.

Track 19 - Robotmaster


"I'm thinking we get one, and I put machinery in it, pilot it. Maybe even remotely. What do you think?"


Evening.

The room, or as Displo had started calling it, the Base Camp.

You, Displo, S (through the laptop), Agoti, Kapi and Tabi were all sitting at the table. TURINGS was booting, the same hologram of the compound present on the screen. It was a meeting of prospective criminals and an unusual amount of musicians.

As Displo set up TURINGS he had started talking about the operation fallout. Just a quick recap. Everyone had been paid as promised. Even S got his paid. He was given some 'rings', the main currency of Mobius. Not that he needed it but insisted he be compensated. Displo had already given you the rundown yesterday and everyone had been interviewed (except S).

"We have two main things to discuss tonight." You started once Displo had settled. "Displo, you go first."

"Thank you. After yesterday it has become apparent we need a magic user. Between the size of the compound and the 'inhuman' aspect of the Family having a magic user is imperative. I made this observation yesterday. It is without a doubt an inevitability that they will use magic against us. To have an expert in our ranks would make things easier."

"I believe they may even have such precautions set up already." Even though everyone was paying attention, Displo slammed his hand on the table, causing Kapi to flinch.

"Do any of you know any magic users?" He said dramatically.

You and Kapi shook your heads. S didn't know anyone sans the crew, so he was out. Agoti looked at Tabi.

"Well, we know someone..." Agoti said coyly.

"Absolutely not. We do not need that witch." Tabi shot right back. Agoti took a second to reply, watching Tabi. "Yeah..I think you're right."

"Who?" You ask.

"Just some nuisance. Don't worry about it." Tabi said.

"Well we do need a magic user. I already know IRIS supplying one is out of the question." Displo said.

But other than Tabi and Agoti's 'nuisance' nobody had an idea. With no direct people the discussion switched to recruitment.

"How the hell do we recruit a mage?" Tabi asked. He had a shoe on the table edge, leaning off the chair, rocking back and forth.

"You really don't know a single magic user?" Displo asked. He seemed more surprised than anything. "No."

"I find that hard to believe. No offence intended but have you not sought out a magic user to correct your 'issues'?"

Tabi glared at Displo. "Tch." He said nothing further.

"Can't we just put ads out?" S asked.

"Uh no. We can't just advertise 'hey we need a mage to help us take out the most powerful people in the city, oh yeah you might get killed or worse btw'." Agoti said sarcastically.

"Well we can have a tournament, have them fight it out and the winner will be our mage." S said.

"That sounds cool! We could do a DDR thing; winner joins the team!" Kapi added.

"We are getting off-track. What about friends of friends? Have none of you ever even met a magic user?" Displo asked.

"I knew people on the force who used magic, but none of them will join. I can guarantee that." You say.

"What about recruiting a criminal?" Kapi asked.

"We kinda already tried that earlier when we were looking for a hacker. I could look again. I'm kind of interested in recruitment though. Maybe not a billboard ad but what if we asked around, 'super-secret team' looking for a skilled magic user, spread it through our circles."

"I don't even know anyone I could ask." Tabi said.

"Yeah, you don't want my fans on this team. It'll make it too awkward." Agoti mused. "Well, there's one fan but she's not even a magic user." He looked to Tabi.

"Ayana?" He asked.

"Yeah. She might know. Been a minute since I spoke to her though."

"Bah. I have nothing to say to her right now. You can ask. I'm good." Tabi said, tapping out. He adjusted his seat and sat upright again.

"I know what we can do." You say. "I knew of a secret service agency that recruited people by making them solve riddles. Anyone smart enough to do it would be offered membership."

"That true?" Kapi asked.

"Apparently. They were called, uh, Cicada...something. Either way what if we made a riddle or something to recruit magic users. Like a cypher. Someone bold enough to solve it would probably be interested in the whole 'mystery of conspiracy'."

"That is a good idea (Y/N) but I wouldn't even know how to begin constructing such a thing." Displo said as he sat down.

"Magic, eh? I think I get it." S chimed in. He had the Wikipedia page of magic open and was reading it. "This looks pretty much like what I can do. Just in real life." Despite having complete control over the system, S instead walked to the scroll bar and forcibly pulled it down. "Yeah. I think I can make something. And get it around too! It'll be just like my last calling card."

"You can make something for us?" Displo asked.

"I think I can. Yeah. I'll just need some time. It's gonna be perfect, just you watch." S smiled, blood dripping from his eyes. While you had gotten used to S' monstrous appearance Displo hadn't, finding him disturbing to look at.

"Well that will solve that. As for other roles we'll have to discuss them later. The departments are still processing their recommendations for us." Displo said.

"That solves that." You conclude. "Kapi? You wanna fill us in on your idea?" You ask, passing the torch to the cat boy.

"Yeah. Well I, uh.." Kapi started to say only to trail off after seeing Tabi look at him.

"What we discussed at the bakery." You say.

"R-right. I don't think I'm going to be the, um, guy running in."

It was clear he was having an issue trying to get to his point.

"Take your time. We can come back to it later. I can discuss more on the compound." Displo said.

"No!" Kapi took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts.

"Alright, so I can't be the guy who runs in. I did horribly yesterday, I can't disguise, it is not for me, but I spoke with (Y/N) and I'm good at robotics and I think that might be able to help." Kapi spoke with run-on sentences. You weren't sure why he was so anxious about it. Perhaps he held everyone else to a higher standard.

"Interesting. A roboticist could definitely help. We haven't worked out the attack and defense groups, but you could easily fit on either team. What kinds of robots?" Displo asked, now interested.

"Like, uh, robots. Suits? I could probably control a drone. N-not like you 'course."

"I am an android. Not a robot. What do you mean by suits?"

"Y-y'know like pilots, mech-suits. I'm not lying this time! I can do it!"

"Ah. Well that is very useful. You should have mentioned it earlier. I'm sure I could have requested something for the operation."

"Yeah, anyways. I thought I could pilot something...like, uh, if you know who D.Va is. From that Overwatch mercenary group."

"Like Eggman! I like it. You're exactly my nemesis!" S exclaimed enthusiastically. If he was physical, he would have patted Kapi on the back. "So you can build the kinds of machines he made?" S asked.

"I presume you have some sort of machinery in mind?" Displo asked.

"Yep. It's just..uh...hold on..." Kapi mumbled. He started rifling through his satchel, flipping through papers.

"I might be able to actually provide some sort of machinery-"

"No, hold on. I got it right...here!" Kapi said pulling a bunch of papers out. He started flipping through them.

"I was at work today and there's this old magazine. I borrowed it, it has this cool toy that I would be perfect for this. Hmmmm...here." He ripped a page out of the magazine and put it on the table for everyone to see. It had glitched the hologram that was still on. With the unseen flick of a switch, Displo turned off TURINGS and the lights came on, illuminating the advertisement.

"I'm thinking we get one, and I put machinery in it, pilot it. Maybe even remotely. What do you think?"

Though Kapi was on a different side of the table you could still see the paper, albeit upside-down. It was from some old children's toy catalog. It had to be at least 20-30 years old as evident by its yellowed edges and sepia tint. It was a one page spread about some toy company. You could make out that it was an interview, presumably with someone at said company.

It displayed a bunch of different toys. Kapi had pointed to a specific one. It was long blue toy that looked like an anorexic Cookie Monster. There were some words captioned under it.

"Lemme see." You take the paper and flip it properly.

'Figure 4-13. Playtime Co. has just unveiled its new 'family' sized toy! Say hello to its newest member!

Huggy Wuggy.' You read that aloud.

Its dimensions were also listed. It looked to be a huge toy, taller than Displo and maybe even the ceiling. You couldn't envision its true size from dimensions alone. You put the paper back. Displo, Agoti and Tabi were confused at what Kapi was even proposing. Huggy looked a bit like a monkey. With the paper now within the laptop's sight, S looked at it.

"Is that me?" S asked, peering through the camera.

"What? No. It looks nothing like you." Kapi said.

"Well I can't see it properly. Someone move my camera down."

"So you want us to get one of these...blue things and you can turn it into a mech?" Tabi asked. Through unintentional it came out as sarcastic.

"Yep!" Kapi said, beaming.

"May I?" Displo asked, picking up the paper and studying it himself.

"To be honest, I like it. But, what you gonna put in it?" Agoti asked, interested.

"Whatever we need. I can easily hollow it out and re-enforce it. B-but I'll need some parts. Displo?" Kapi asked.

"Just a second. I'm checking where to purchase one of these. Hmmm. Thought so." Displo was staring at the paper, studying it.

After a minute, Displo put it down. "I'm afraid this toy was never put up for sale." Displo's changed something on TURINGS, and it came back to life. As if a terminal was in front of you a news article came up. A similar hologram appeared in front of everyone excluding S, who forced one to appear anyways.

"It appears this Playtime Company was shut down due to unspecified violations 35 years ago." Displo said. You scroll through the article for any inspector names you might know. It was far before your time on the force.

There weren't any names listed.

"W-wait really?" Kapi said, reading the article. He was silently cursing himself for not looking it up earlier, now feeling like an idiot.

"But...according to leaked manufacturing logs and some old forum posts it appears this toy was actually made. Just never released." Displo continued as he searched.

"Oh. So we can get one then!" Kapi said, trying to salvage his idea.

"It appears as if their central manufacturing factory was based out of this city. Looking through addresses it appears as if this factory is still standing, albeit abandoned in the U.E. Industrial Park."

"Well let's go!" Kapi said, happiness returning.

"Hold on. I'm not going to go break into some factory on a whim. Especially an abandoned one." Tabi spat. "Who knows what could be lurking in there. Plus it says here there have been disappearances. Count me out." Tabi pointed to the article.

"What about security?" Agoti asked.

With the flick of the wrist, Displo made the hologram of the factory come up.

"Breaking into something like this would be good practice though. And it's structure is a little similar to the compound." Displo made both appear. The only similarity was that they were both 'box-shaped'. "Hrm. I am afraid I cannot find any information regarding it's existing security systems. It may actually be completely abandoned."

"Pfft. Let me look. I'll find it." S said before vanishing.

Agoti had been staring at the photo, tuning most of the conversation out. "I think you can easily turn this guy into a war machine. I don't know about disguising and just walking in. This guy would be pure offense."

"I'm fine with that. I can't disguise. It's just not my thing. The operation proved that." He sighed. "Ooo! What if I carried bombs with it, help us blow up the vault door?!"

Agoti smiled. "That could work. Tabi here's pretty much a demolitionist."

"Unofficially. I can make them but I'm not that good at it." Tabi said, looking away.

"Really man? I've seen the stuff you cooked up. You're a damn terrorist!" Agoti said, not intending to sound insulting.

Tabi just shook his head. "And it detonated at the wrong time. If it worked I would have defeated those two. I stopped doing it after joining this crew. I prefer working with fire anyways."

S returned, forcing the laptop to make an audible notification sound. "There's no security. In fact I can't even scan the place. It has no network. It's just an empty spot on the electrical grid."

"Well then getting in should be easy." Kapi added.

"If they even have any of that blue guy left." Tabi said.

"Well. I'm not against it. Displo's right. It would be good practice." You say, defending Kapi.

"Y'know what, count me in." Agoti said.

"Then it is settled. When you 3 are free, I will assist and Kapi will lead an expedition into this factory, retrieve this 'Huggy' and I will work on getting the parts."

"Awesome!" Kapi said.

"You sure you don't want to help?" You ask Tabi. He shook his head without saying a word.

"Was there anything else we needed to discuss?" You ask.

"Yes. Since we're 'picking classes' I want to choose. If he gets to be a mechanic, it's only fair I get a role."

"This is not some video game, Tabi. I assure you whatever talents you have will be considered by all of us fairly." Displo said.

Tabi looked to you with a confused look. You just shrug.

"Shoot." You say.

"In the operation I will be in charge of the pyrotechnics. I know how fire works. I used to be the lead pyro during my old concerts. I even did some for Agoti here."

"Alright, change what I said. You can just melt the vault door." Agoti laughed.

"Sure. I'm sure that'll help." You reply.

"I am in agreement. Do you have your tools still?" Displo acknowledged.

"He's got 'em. They're still at my place." Agoti said playfully.

"That is correct."

"Dunno if dad will let you take them, but ehn, we'll see."

"Very well. With nothing further to discuss I presume we end this meeting. S. You will be creating the riddle, correct?"

"Yep! I will be working on it soon as this is over!"

"Then I would like to thank you all for coming. Our next meeting is tomorrow, and we shall begin planning the factory break-in."

With that the meeting came to a close. It was decided that the factory expedition would occur on the weekend when everyone was off work. Tabi had refused to come but you did not expect it should cause any problems.

At home you found a bouquet of chocolates at your front door. It was suspicious at first but upon reading it apparently some people at the station had put together a belated Easter gift. It had already been opened and some chocolates were gone. You just pick it up and dump it on the kitchen counter. Clearly it was just an afterthought.

After a rough night of sleep you found yourself at work, around dinner time, napping on the desk at the lobby. You moved some potted plants in front so customers couldn't see. You had spent earlier lunch time dealing with a group of rowdy kids. They had taken a lot out of you.

IRIS' recommendations came through for Blindside. At work Displo discussed it with you. While you had expected some actual help it was just a bunch of complaints. Tabi was too scary looking, Agoti was too violent, Kapi got caught instantly, and the report had retconned it to say he was caught be security and not some scientist outshining the actual security teams. Absolutely no mention of S. To Displo's agreement you just tore it up.

Your nap didn't last long when S started freaking out on your phone. "I can't believe it! (Y/N) look at this! Get up!" He shouted through your phone speaker.

Groggily you look at your phone. "I posted the riddle, really complicated, and someone cracked it! Even did the exact thing I asked."

S was jumping up and down in some messaging app S had installed. There were a bunch of messages exchanged with a random user called "Applejack1".

Looking through them it appeared as if the mystery person had broken S' riddle and was messaging him.

"Read this. Not only did someone solve it but they know really good magic." S exclaimed.

You were glad that there weren't any customers around to hear.

You scroll through the messages. After solving the riddle they reached out to S and contacted them. From there S and them wrote to each other, S gaging how much magic they knew. A few encyclopedia pages on magic were dumped in the chat as well, S having to figure certain things out as Applejack1 explained them.

There were a few grainy videos of someone or something casting fireballs and thunder. Whoever they were the videos were low quality.

You also notice that in one of the opening messages S repeatedly referred to the crew and heist as 'saving the world' and "to be part of history". It looked as if he advertised the whole cypher as a recruitment ad for some shadowy organization, fully taking the idea from you.

Based on the texts that followed not only did Applejack1 believe it to be that but S only laid it on further telling them that they'd 'be part of something big'.

"Where did you advertise this?"

"On some website called pony-island. I saw that the horses were sparkling, figured it was a magic forum."

You'd never heard of the site. You decide to ask Displo later. Either way, in no time at all did S find a magician.

Despite S' obvious lies the conversation between them was friendly. S had taken the username SonicFromEarth5.

The last message was an address to Applejack1's home. Looking at the address you roughly recognized the area. It was out of the city, deep in the farms and rural settlements. S had agreed to meet them on the weekend, the same time as the factory expedition.

"What do you think? I think they're a keeper. What do you say?"

"We gotta tell Displo about this. But sure. We gotta reschedule though. That's when the factory event is."

"Bah. Just send Tabi to go collect them. He's not coming anyways."

When you explained it to Displo later he was not very happy. "I am not surprised you haven't heard of this site, (Y/N). It's a children's game where they play with virtual horses."

"Who cares what the site is used for? We got a magic user."

Displo pinched his where his nose would be. "I don't think we are going to get much out of this but very well." He said with a sigh. "It shall be discussed at the meeting."

The meeting that night was brief. You and Displo determined that as much as the group needs practice, a second reconnaissance mission was needed. With the upcoming expedition plus the magic user situation it was decided to do that next week. Kapi remarked he would use his personal drone for it.

The other topic was figuring out what was going on with the magic user. Displo brought up the 'pony-island' situation, but nobody seemed to care much. S had found a magic user; it didn't matter where he found them.

The obvious question then arose as to why S hadn't ported into their phone. He said it was a few reasons. First, he said it was a matter of privacy, though nobody feeling like pointing out the obvious contradiction at first.

The second reason made more sense. He explained that he had scanned Applejack1's phone and that it was constantly losing its connection to the chat.

"If I go into that phone and get stuck there, I'm gonna lose it. I've been stranded once before. Never again. Plus. When I'm stuck like that, I can't hide myself. I may just go crazy!"

In private later, Tabi made a remark about how he should get lost. Tabi had asked him to try again but he refused. He brought up the privacy aspect again saying he liked the person and didn't want to piss them off.

To your appeal, S asked if Applejack1 could reschedule to Sunday. They refused, stating it must take place on Saturday. They were apparently 'super busy' on that Sunday.

It was quickly determined that the crew split up 2 ways. One group goes to the farm, the other to the factory.

You and Kapi were to go to the factory and steal Huggy. While that was ongoing Agoti, and Tabi would go to the farm and meet with Applejack1. S said he would go with Tabi only when they were there, just to make sure they had a signal. Until then he'd stay with Displo.

Displo had refused to go along with both trips, citing a lack of power in the countryside in case something happened to him. He said no to the factory on the basis there would be no power in the factory either. "I am not a field agent." He had said. He chose to stay at the restaurant just in case anything happened. You found it a weak excuse, noting he was probably just scared of the factory. Regardless of it didn't take long to situate everyone.

With the team divided, the meeting adjourned. The next one was scheduled Saturday night in which the team would come together and deal with the fallout from both trips.

When the day finally came, one group headed out of town for the farm.


The other group headed for the abandoned factory.

Track 20 - Depths of Time

"You sure? I mean, I got a GrabPack. You don't."

Saturday.

The big day. There wasn't a meeting that morning as everyone knew what they had to do. Tabi, Agoti and possibly S were off to visit the farm. Meanwhile, you and Kapi were about to break into some toy factory to find an unreleased doll.

S had done some 'reconnaissance' and found that the place was really abandoned. Abandoned to the point it didn't even have security anymore.

Neither he nor Displo were even able to find who owned the land. The place seemed to be in limbo.

Either way, you and Kapi found yourselves sitting in what you think was the factory's original parking lot.

A few warehouses had been built around it is cutting off the true size of the facility. Despite the obstructions you could see the place was gigantic. At its sheer size you were amazed that nobody had claimed this land sooner. It looked to be in an opportune location.

It was located in a very industrial area, full of warehouses and other factories. Due to it being the weekend the place had little activity. Most people were off. The lot was empty.

Despite it once being a factory there looked to be plenty of customer-oriented stuff. Looking at the top of the building you could see structures beyond the facility walls. It looked like a cartoon-ish town the way it was set up, a large front area with lots of designs, a few towers in the distance and what looked to be even fake homes on the right. The whole place looked like an anomaly even within the city.

It appeared as a combo of the innocence of 50s toys crossed with the surrealist children-cartoons of the 2000s. All so strange. The morning sun further added to its surrealism, tinting the brightly coloured towers, hazing the red and yellow brick building and shining off the bright blue roof it had. It all looked very artificial.

However the outwardly bright appearance was just in your mind.

The place was in a serious state of decay, The once brightly coloured bricks had faded to a darker mustard colour, cracks in the bricks had formed and moss or mold started to form in the crevices. Where there were once windows had been either smashed in or had wooden boards placed to block out the sun.

If there was even a sign that read "Playtime Co." it was long gone. The only implication of a sign having been present there was the single letter P atop the entry way.


Now Playing...


Artist:

Eric Clapton & Michael Kamen


Song:

Edge of Darkness


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bfPS7p6Z1k


Kapi stepped out of the car first. As you step out, you notice his expression start to light up. Not wanting him to be disappointed later you say. "I don't think we're gonna find much here."

"You don't know that. I got a good feeling about this."

You check yourself. You were equipped with Displo's security outfit. Tabi had gone off about how these kinds of places were cursed and why he avoided them. You took it to heart; extra weaponry packed a result of that. Two handguns both fully loaded and a police baton from your earlier days. Though it was officially a baton, the other officers had commonly referred to it as an extendo. Aside from the gun in the chest pocket you had the backup around your leg. Stashed in other pockets were a few extra clips. While Kapi may have been optimistic about it, you were ready for anything.

It didn't help that the place was the alleged location of several disappearances. S had informed you of that, clearly trying to scare you.

You offered Kapi weaponry, but he refused. He seemed pretty sure of himself that there wouldn't be an issue. He was dressed in his usual clothing. Colourful hoodie, black jeans and his trademarked pink hat. He only carried with him a flashlight, though he remarked he wouldn't likely need it. It looked bright enough that the sun would light in the insides.

"Let's try to find a map then go from there." You say. Kapi nodded.

Under normal circumstances the entrance would have looked happy. It was stylized as a slanted square, made to look how a child draws a house. Up front was the bright blue roof, holes present. Behind that further you could see a red dome, also strewn with holes. The outline of the house was yellow, but the paint had either chipped away or stained as time worked through it. Even the blue hue of the exterior was fading as well, if it hadn't been scraped off or outright vandalized. The place was in ruins.

Several 'do not enter' signs were strewn about, some nailed to the wall, some merely stickered to it. Some of the signs "read private property, do not enter", while others displayed laws regarding trespassing.

The evidence of trash around the entrance and cigarette butts implied that this was probably a spot for the nearby warehouse workers to hang out.

A few notices were taped to door. Skimming through them they mostly referred to the city's government telling the owners there was too much garbage, or environmental complaints or other complaints. Either way, it didn't bode well.

One that particularly stood out was a recent one for a noise complaint. It wasn't that recent, but its very existence worried you slightly.This place was allegedly abandoned, right?

With no door present you and Kapi step inside.

"So if we find him, how are you expecting we get him out?" You ask, curious to hear his response.

"Just drag him out. Who's gonna stop us? This place has no security, S said so."

"I guess. That's to be seen though." You say, still a little unsure. You figure if anyone asks to just pass off you were security.

The lobby was barren of any seating areas and stands. Everything was gone. The only things remaining in the lobby were a decaying circular desk at the back between two doors and a smashed-up television in the corner.

There were scraps of what once might have been a table or a chair in another corner but that had long since vanished.

Through holes in the roof atop light pierced through, creating grids of light on the floor, particles floating through the light. Behind the desk, painted on the wall was a cartoon-ish picture of Huggy, a speech bubble next to him reading "Welcome!"

You approach the desk cautiously, Kapi following. You weren't paying attention but vaguely hear him make a remark about the computer on it.

There was a computer on top of the desk though upon closer inspection it was smashed in. The monitor, a CRT indicated it was an extremely old computer.

The whole place smelled of stale air and mildew. It didn't smell contaminated or dirty. Just dingy.

Looking at the computer you noticed something strange below the desk. The machine was plugged into a power bar and its light was still glowing. Looking up you now notice that fluorescent lights still lit the place.

So this place was still running after all. You point up to the lights. "See that?" You say.

"Huh? The light? What about it?" Kapi said, confused.

"Well this place is supposed to be abandoned. You don't find it odd that the lights are on?"

"Ehn, it's probably nothing. They probably just haven't cut the power yet." He said, ears twitching as he spoke. "Or maybe some kid came here and forgot to turn off the light." Kapi shrugged.

"I guess."

"Ohh. I think he could be there." Kapi said pointing to the left hallway. A sign above the entrance read "GIFT SHOP." For the state of decay the place was in you were surprised it was even legible.

With no idea where to find Huggy, you follow Kapi. "Let's hurry up. I don't like this place." You mutter.

"Sure!"

Pushing aside ruined glass doors you enter the gift shop. It was a large room, walls painted in brightly fading colours. There was a stencil painting of a blue cat holding a gift box on the back wall. Atop the ceiling a railroad, a large toy train still chugging along on it. The rails looked a little warped but otherwise it was functional.

The power was still on here as well. Not wanting to deal with the possibility that the place was secretly being run you just shrug it off. Perhaps Kapi was right. They just hadn't cut the power yet.

The shelves were mostly barren, only a few small stuffies remaining on them. You consider searching the register but figure you don't need the money. One thing was for certain. Huggy wasn't here.

"Darn." Kapi remarked.

Returning to the main room you take the lead and go to security. It was just the opposite direction of the gift shop. Going down the hallway, passing by some slashed lounge couches you and Kapi reach the door.

Though having the same glass office doors that the gift shop had this one was locked. There was a number pad present.

Though looking at it you see that three of the numbers were faded. Pressing a few keys you find the passcode seems to only be 3 numbers long.

"Hold on. Let me see if I can smash this." Kapi said.

"I can solve it."

Figuring it was only 3 numbers long and that 3 numbers had been faded you figure the combo to be grouping of those. So there were only 6 combinations then. You start entering every combo of those numbers.

"What are you doing?" Kapi asked, noticing you entering numbers at random.

"Solving it." With the 4th attempt the door unlocks.

"How did you-?"

"Don't worry about it. Just a police secret."

The security room was in much better shape. Like you had seen in IRIS, the wall was strewn with security cameras, all of which were off. There was a desk in the corner and what looked like a large vent at the end of the room.

"Let's see if they have an info on Huggy."

Kapi instead found himself more interested in the vent-looking area. He ran up to in, looking inside it. You check the desk, shuffling through the folders on it.

"Woah! Look at this!" Kapi exclaimed. "Just a second." You turn to see that it wasn't actually a vent, but a display case. Kapi activated something on the panel and it started to open. A TV next to it started playing some video. You didn't like the noise it was making and ignore it, deciding it's not important.

Kapi was far more interested in the object in front of him. The video explained it to be the "GrabPack". It was some sort of toy Playtime was working on. He picked it up and strapped it his back like jetpack. Around his back it had two arms with hands extruding from the side in front of Kapi. There were handles for each, that as the video explained, could allow the hands to grab objects and things from far away. Infatuated with this newfound power he started to use it, grabbing various objects around the room.

Meanwhile, a few folders later you found a security map of your section of the factory. You were reading it before you felt something prodding at your back. You look to see Kapi having backed up to the wall and was poking at you with some blue mechanical hand.

"What the hell is that?"

"It's the GrabPack! Pretty cool huh?"

You shrug. "I guess. Looks old though."

"Ehn, I'm sure I could fix it up. Displo too. I'm gonna keep it. Give it a new paint job."

You shrug. You didn't have any problem with him taking it.

Organizing the maps on the table you determine the path. "Alright so. According to the map the factory is just behind the entry desk. We go there and we should be able to reach the lines and storage. Figure if he's still there we check it first."

"Sure! Let's go!"

Returning to the lobby you go to the doors behind the desk, jumping over the turnstile. It was clear this area was meant for customers. The facility must have doubled as a playground-type area.

That was further evident by the large Lego-looking door frame that surrounded it. The door was jammed open but not enough to walk through. You and Kapi found yourself ducking under it.

One small hallway later you and Kapi entered the true lobby. It was at the bottom dome you'd seen earlier outside. A cylindrical-room, doors all around, some still labeled with their original signs. If there was power here it wasn't flowing currently. The only light present was through the grid windows that lined the ceiling.

A sign above the stage on the ceiling displayed the company's logo in the same faded text he'd seen elsewhere.

Kapi approached the centre of the room. A small stage was raised, poles surrounding it, keeping people away as if it were a museum. Though the centre piece was missing Kapi could tell what was supposed to be there.

Comically large building blocks were also on the stage, surrounding where Huggy should have been standing.

The sign in front on the ground read "Huggy Wuggy" in large cartoon-ish text. There was a large blurb explaining what the toy was. Clearly a model of Huggy was supposed to be here. As time had ravaged this place, Kapi figured thieves probably already stole him.

Kapi pushed the red button on the Huggy sign and a tune broke the silence of the factory. The quality was terrible, time having not been kind to the machine but nonetheless it played.

You nearly jumped, only milliseconds away from pulling you gun out. "The hell are you doing?" You say, more annoyed than startled.

"I just wanted to see if it would work. Where should we go?" Kapi asked. He looked around.

With how gung-ho Kapi had been you start to worry a bit more. Though he may have thought it to be abandoned the lights, noise complaint and state of the place said to you there were still people here. You weren't going to take a chance.

You pull the security map out, looking it over.

"Ooh, I know. I think I can restore power first, then check the security cameras." Kapi said, already starting to dart past you. One of the rooms in the lobby had a sign above it labeled POWER. Before he could get too far you grab his hood, stopping him.

"Hold on a sec. I'm still looking at the map."

"Argh, well hurry up."

"I think it's best if you stay around the top." You suggest.

"Huh? Why?" Kapi asked, his struggling against you stopping.

Not wanting to decry him for not being stealthy you mention something else. "I think it'll be better if you stick around this area and look. I'm gonna head deeper into the factory." You say.

"You sure? I mean, I got a GrabPack. You don't."

"I have two nine millimetres and a baton. I think I'm more equipped. And I'm still not convinced this place is abandoned."

"Aw, you're no fun."

You point at the map. "Restore the power and security cameras. Then look around these areas." You say pointing to other exits in the lobby. There were several rooms still unopened from a Theater to a hallway labeled 'Innovation' and another called 'Testing'.

"I'm gonna go deeper in, towards the factory area." Looking at the map you notice that one of the ways connected to the factory floor though looking at the door it was closed shut. "I'm gonna find another way in but after checking those areas see if you can meet me by the factory there."

"Got it!"

You felt a little bad about splitting up, but you decide it would be safer if he stuck around this area. Satisfied you let Kapi run off to the Power room.

You open your phone to send a message to S asking to watch him but stop. S' contact page had been modified to display a photo of a sign that read "Gone Farming!" Clearly, he wouldn't be a help here, still stuck with Tabi and Agoti.

You shout into the power room. "Don't go deeper in until I've made sure it's safe! Call me if you need anything!"

"Sure, (Y/N)! You can count on me!" Just peering in, Kapi was doing something with the GrabPack moving lights around.

Back alone in the lobby you hear rustling coming from some unknown direction. You hope it's just Kapi screwing around.

The map read that due east, just next to the power room was some sort of assembly line. Judging by the map you'd need to go down a maintenance tunnel and could work your way through two separate factory floors. If there was anywhere Huggy could be it should be there.

You figure at the very least there could be parts of Huggy then just have Kapi build him.

The tiles in the main lobby were about the same as the entrance. White tiles with the occasional red or yellow or blue tile sprinkled about randomly. If they weren't covered in dust they were covered in dirt. Nature had already begun to reclaim this place.

The entry beside the power room was in remarkably better shape. The archways looked to have been made out of building blocks and were still in decent condition, though a bit warped from time and dampness. The lights were working too, albeit flickering slightly. As you walked down the hallway you notice a poster still in-tact.

It was of a cartoon cat called "Candy Cat" displaying some new jawbreakers Playtime had. Wonder if there's any leftover candy around. Nah, 100% chance it would be rotten.

Down the large hallway a sign atop the archway read "Make-A-Friend". Though the map marked this as an assembly way you figure it must have been turned into a public space at some point.

The actual Make-A-Friend area was blocked off at the end of the hall by large building blocks and a shuttered door. That wasn't your intention, instead going to the service door next to it. A sign above read 'Tunnel 05'.

You'd spoken too soon about the lights as all the ones in the tunnel were off. Only a pair of lights above the door at the other end were lit. The enclosed space looked liminal.

The only things visible were a bit of the floor and pipes on the wall, barely lit by the light you were letting in. Unsure if there was even a floor still you use your phone to light the way.

The pipes were slowly expelling steam furthering your fears this place was still active. Between disappearances you determined the owners must have still been active, possibly making toys illegally. You try to recall but don't remember Displo or S saying why the company got shut down.

If they were still operating, faking being abandoned what other lengths would they go to? You touch your baton instinctively. It was still strapped to your leg.

Above the door at the end of the hallway was a cartoon-ish picture of Huggy wearing a hard hat holding a hammer.

With how much signage there was of this guy you figure there had to have been a lot of toys made. Just be glad it was Huggy that Kapi got interested in, not some rare toy, you think.

Stepping through you enter a larger maintenance area. Large bins for parts, janitorial equipment, metal cabinets. There was plenty of black and yellow tape on the floors.

Yep. This was one of the backrooms.

Searching the metal cabinets yielded nothing of value. No sign of any toys here except minor parts. While you'd only seen the one photo of Huggy you had a basic idea of what to look for.

Going up the stairs you find yourself atop a balcony over part of the assembly line. Straight ahead on a wall was yet another picture of Huggy. He was dressed as a carpenter here.

This room seemed to be the exit of the floor, where workers assembled and packed up toys. You were standing on an overlook, probably where management watched. Part of the railing was destroyed; a pile of boxes present where one could've fallen. Seeing the fall was only a few metres you jump down, cushioned by the boxes.

There was no clear path back that way, but climbing was always an option.

There was a conveyer belt in the centre of the room, various cardboard boxes and scraps surrounding it. It didn't take much to see most of the boxes were empty. Up high a hallway bisected the room. Under the hallway led to a poorly lit inlay. Nothing there except more shelving and more boxes.

Light from the outside poured in and lit the front and walls, giving it a similar grid pattern to earlier. It gave everything in the room a slightly lighter hue as well. It was cloudy out, only a small amount of the sun's light making it through.

A motivational sign displayed that this was indeed the shipping bay. As you looked around there was one unusual thing on the floor. In seemingly random spots there were splashes of paint in the form of handprints. You guess that some kids made it this far and started vandalizing the place.

With nothing but tons of boxes around you start opening them one by one. Hopefully a Huggy model or part would be in one of them. Your hopes weren't high, the only toy you'd found so far was the head of some cartoon tiger.

Kapi was had no trouble in the power room. His GrabPack doubled as a current and with it he was able to reroute the power and restore it. It did take a bit of trial and error though.

A small console near the open breaker lit up.

AIX RT v2.2, c. 1990

Loading playtime.c...

NOTE: Unable to connect to other grids.

A bunch of technical jargon flew by that Kapi ignored. He was looking for something specific. With the key presses of an ancient keyboard he heard generators roar.

Power was restored to this sector, now diverted from other ones. Power in the security room had been restored too.

The facility was much larger than he thought, as evident by the existence of several other grids. It didn't deter him though. He was ready to search the whole facility!

With the security back online he left the power room. The flickering stopped as proper power was restored to them. They still blinked ever so slightly, fluorescent lights showing their age.

Feeling accomplished, he returned to the security room, stopping in the lobby after hearing rustling. From atop the ceiling some dust fell, though when Kapi looked up nothing was there. He decided the place was infested by rats. They must've been startled by power restoration.

To keep the rats away he started whistling a tune.

The security room was full of life, monitors turning on slowly. Some of the monitors were clearly damaged. Some had burn-in, old images being displayed on them. Some weren't even turning on. As Kapi waited by the central computer for it to come alive he shot you a text.

Kapi: powers back up

(Y/N): thanks still exploring lemme know if you see anything

Kapi: k im gonna try to find you on the camera then gonna check the theater

You look around the receiving bay. There were no cameras to be seen anywhere. Ah well, he'll find you later. You hope that turning the power on didn't alert whoever still occupied this place. If anyone even did still walk these halls.

Kapi's stunt also gave power to your room somewhat. With the sound of hydraulics moving for the first time in ages, the conveyer belt door opened. It was where the toys would move in from.

Though meant for packages it was far larger than that. You gulp. There didn't seem to be another way out of the room anyways. You text Kapi to double check power or whatever he can see to verify the conveyer systems were off. "At the very least, the conveyers and machinery in the receiving bay." You'd heard of way too many industrial accidents to just go in. A minute later Kapi confirmed it was safe. You warn Kapi to not touch anything while you were in.

Ducking under the ceiling you enter the conveyer tunnel. It was pitch black in here sans some muted lights underneath the belt. Using your phone you see that almost immediately into it, the tunnel goes down 45 degrees deeper into the facility. You step out of the tunnel.

Judging by the map at the bottom of the tunnel there should be an access shaft where you could access to one of the factory floors.

You realize now that it might have been possible to just try to get the power to open the factory then go with Kapi. Ehn, that's the main reason we need to plan for the heist, you think. The first version won't be the best. You chuckle, though it does little to calm your nerves.

Enough wasting time. You get back into the tunnel and position yourself atop the angle change. With a light push you slide down, white lights flashing you by. The steel rollers help you slide down. It would have been enjoyable if not for the context.

You nearly crash into a "DO NOT ENTER" sign, just barely stopping yourself. After getting up and brushing off you find the access tunnel and proceed through it.

Still dark in here, you note. The lights down the access shaft were even darker, glowing a deep red instead of white. They had become more spaced out too. If it were not for phone you'd have been stumbling almost blindly.

Navigating through tunnels and stairways later you see an exit. There was some sort of red alarm on the ceiling towards it. It was silent but blinking faintly. Probably just from detecting you in the tunnels, you hope.

It was off the path of the access area. Sliding down a shorter tunnel you enter another factory floor; you pop out of some machine and help yourself down. Just as the map had displayed. Another factory floor.

The room was more spacious than the receiving bay. Though not as big as you'd expect a factory floor. It appeared that this area was another assembly floor.

You look back. It appeared that you emerged from some sort of parts holder. The glass was gone so you were just able to walk out though it appeared as if it was supposed to filter them into 1 piece at a time like from a gum ball machine.

It even had the metal flap.

Next to the conveyer belt in front of your entrance was another machine. It had large googly eyes on it and the conveyer tunnel into it was stylized like a mouth. It had a white light on it that was lit. The machine linked up to a bunch of other similar contraptions. Another one was blue with teeth and a closed mouth, another one, red, looked a little wonky.

That tunnel was far too small to enter. It was meant for toys. Recalling the size of Huggy from the ad, if it was too small for you it was definitely too small for him. He wouldn't be here.

On the right, across the floor from the contraption was a staircase and platforms leading up to some ceiling walkway. You were grateful those lights were working as there was no sky light here. Checking your phone you still had a good signal.

The place looked more preserved than the rest of the facility. You guess it hadn't been touched since the place was first shut down. It was also significantly colder here. Though your uniform was doing more than enough to keep you warm.

Next to the staircase was a closed door, which according to the map should've lead back to a central point and back to Kapi's area. Realizing it now that door was the same as the one blocked off earlier. You had essentially gone in a circle. Sighing, you figure it's a good time to get Kapi now.

However there was no switch or key on the door. Just an open pedestal. It needed something.

Not wanting to mess with the machines you instead go up, getting a good look at the place from atop. A sign hidden amongst the steel walkway indicated where you were.

This was the Make-A-Friend workshop. "Hmm." Maybe that's what they want. A 'friend' to open the door, you think.

Walking along the grid walkway you continuously glance down. No sign of any toys here, let along a Huggy toy. Actually, wait. Looking down the middle you notice there was a Make-A-Friend stand in the middle with a large red button.

Remembering that this was supposed to be part of a tour you head back down and push the button.

A voice on some intercom starts explains the toy making process as all the googly-eyed machines spring to life. If the place wasn't in such disarray, it would have been endearing. Now it was just sad looking.

You watch as parts from the right flow in from some pipes and go in and out of the toy monster machines as it 'ate' them and spat out assembled parts onto the belt. Its googly eyes just stare back expressionless as the machines worked. It was creepy.

It worried you slightly too. It was making too much noise. You didn't want to attract attention. Hopefully Kapi was doing alright.

Slowly it chugged alone before finally the yellow machine spat out a perfectly assembled cat/tiger/feline thing. You look it over. Maybe a bobcat?

Either way, you pick it up and place it on the pedestal and sure enough, the door opens to an empty hallway. You take a few steps back and glance back at the machines. Now was a good a time as ever to message Kapi.

Before you could you hear footsteps behind you. Your cop instinct pulls out and you face back.

Standing there, obscured by the archway was Huggy. He walked forward slightly, having to duck under the already tall archway.

You were greeted by his wide open-mouth grin, an endless row of teeth from inside him. He looked happy to see you, but you couldn't tell if it was a violent grin or that was the way he looked.


Track 21 - Abandoned and Forgotten

"Kapi, if I survive this, I swear I will kill you myself."

Huggy Wuggy.


He was as described in the advertisement, albeit not as large as you had thought. He towered over you, at least 2 metres tall, maybe even three. You weren't in the mind to measure his height.

You weren't sure what kind of animal he was supposed to be if any. He had two really long arms and two long legs, almost like a monkey, though he stood completely upright. His head was triangular with and lacked any features beside eyes and a mouth. His eyes were just the pupil with a large black iris covering almost the whole eye. They glistened under the fluorescent light and if you weren't currently terrified your reflection would have been seen in them. He had large red cartoony lips which were wide in an open smile. Just from the brief glimpse you got there were rows and rows of teeth leading in him. He appeared more as a killing machine than a children's toy.

Though his mouth was open he was silent, the only sound he made was of his footsteps. And even then, that was muffled. He walked slowly, not once breaking eye contact with you.

He was covered in a navy-blue fur which had been matted and was clearly unwashed for some time. Like most plushies his hands and feet were featureless, lines in the hands and toes shone but it was just one piece of fabric.

He was a living toy. Or a demon of some sort. You weren't in the mind to play anthropologist either. Just where his chest was, a small red bow was tied there. Despite his ragged appearance it looked to be the only thing in order.

You back up slowly, just looking up, bewildered at the creature in front.


Now Playing...


Artist:

Sea of Åland


Song:

We Are Not Blood


Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=844f-oIjRiU


You back up too much and hit the Make-A-Friend console, sending the machines back to life. Not only does it catch your attention, but it catches Huggy's as well and for a moment he looks ahead at the process.

The voice begins talking about Playtime Co. With Huggy distracted you make a break for it. Glancing behind Huggy the door outside was closed, most likely for the demonstration.

"Curse you, Kapi I swear." You mutter.

With that route out of the way you make for the for stairs to the walkway, ducking beside Huggy.

Your head start doesn't last long however as Huggy snaps back into it and starts lumbering after you. He doesn't bother climbing the stairs but instead starts scaling them, easily hoisting himself up.

You get a text on your phone but hardly even process it. Managing to make it across the walkway, Huggy reaches your level. There was still some distance and more than enough time to open fire. You hesitate. No more attention. That wasn't an option, less you attract more of those creatures.

That left the baton. Pulling out of your leg pocket you swing it, fully extending it. "Stay back!" You blink. Had it gotten smaller? It didn't appear to tower over as much.

Huggy merely cocked his head in curiosity at your baton and emitted some sort of low guttural sound.


A blink again just as he darts to you, practically lunging at yourself. You only barely process as you swing upright, directly hitting Huggy just above the throat.

It stumbles back, groans and slumps over. It nearly falls off the walkway as Huggy stumbles back. It sounded like it choked, the strike sending it reeling.

However, just as fast as it went down it started to get up and spat something on the ground.

You waste no time and jump off the walkway, carefully landing onto the roof of the assembly machines. You were in full fight mode now, thoughts of how to dispatch Huggy circling.

Time to put the combat training to the test. You think.

One option you consider was to beat it to death, though there was no telling how intelligent it was, if it could start anticipating your strikes. At this point opening fire was the main path you see. But it was still close. And would bullets even damage it? I need it in closer quarters. You jump off the assembly machine just as Huggy lands on it. He appeared mad now, eyes contorting in anger. Its smile had turned into a frown.

With the door to the hallway still closed you spot only one other escape route. There was a vent to the right that led deeper into the facility. It was where the finished toys would go, a red alarm flashing above it. Atop it stood a 'DO NOT ENTER' signs and it was open. You let out a deep sigh, again cursing Kapi for dragging you into this and jump in. The door closes behind you, sealing Huggy in the workshop.

You hear something crash from behind the door then the sound of Huggy scampering away. Had he given up? No. He must be on his way.

You figure you had a few minutes, no, seconds before he appeared in here. No doubt he knew this place better than you.

Praying the floor was still intact you proceed forward and slide down. At least the floor lights were still somewhat working. There were only two ways to go, forward and back.

You were at least grateful the ceiling was just high enough you didn't need to crouch.

Pulling your gun out you determine the close quarters could help take him out. The only victim then would be your hearing from the gunshot blast. At least the sound wouldn't escape the vent.

Well, unless there's other 'things' in the vent. You shudder, not wanting to think about the possibility.

As you hit the ground you look forward seeing another tunnel running perpendicular to yours, a metal grate and shielding blocking it. And, at the end of the vent Huggy charged toward you.

Had it not been for prior training and that grate you would have had a heart attack then and there. He crawled through the vent with ease, using both arms and legs to grip all the sides of the vent. Downright terrifying.

It wasn't just his appearance either. The way he moved sounded like he was stomping, banging on the metal as each appendage gripped a piece of the tunnel.

With the speed he was going at he would have gotten to you soon. Had to keep moving. You fire off a warning shot at the gates. The bullet gets lodged in the wall and the sound crashes all around. It's apparently enough for Huggy who flinches, slowing his speed. You gulp as he runs off. The way he moved, it was feral, and he not once broke eye contact as he continued. It sent shivers.

You keep running, now climbing up a slide, using indents in the wall as grips. As you make it up your see a fork in the path.

The choice was made for you as Huggy appeared in on, still smiling maniacally, crawling towards you. Just as you continue you running you fire off another shot and for a moment you hear his crawling stop. It narrowly misses him.

If only S or Tabi were around. They could have dealt with this, you lament. Not focusing on the tunnel you trip over something on the belt and fall feet first down some tunnel. For a brief moment you lose the gun, but it finds you at the bottom.

You were really lost now. This part of the tunnel was in disarray. The conveyer belts had become misaligned, shocks holding in place gone. It made the terrain harder to move on as you ran.

No time to relax as you hear the stomping come close.

You get up and keep running forward. It flashes by but you notice words painted on the wall. As you duck to the right path you notice a path almost closed off by a door. It was just large enough to crawl through it, off the path.

You duck into it and quietly move forward a bit then turn and aim at the main conveyer. You watch as Huggy darts past it, still in hot pursuit. The metal slamming gets quieter as the it gets replaced by the sound of your breathing and heartbeat.

You take a seat. He lost you.

You don't waste time and get up and keep walking through this off path. How was he even moving so fast? And did he get smaller? How was he even fitting? In the second you looked back before he did appear smaller. Maybe he's just extremely flexible.

Using your phone you light the map. You struggle to find where you even ended up, attempting to recall all the specific turns and ducks you made during the chase.

"Make a left here, er, forward. Hmm." You mumble, trying to make sense of it all.

You were starting to calm your nerves when the unthinkable happened.

Your phone started ringing. Kapi displayed on the screen. You hit decline as fast as you can but it's too late.

Almost instantly the stomping starts to get louder. "Kapi, if I survive this, I swear I will kill you myself." You shout as you start running again. You drop the map, gripping your phone and gun in both hands.

You briefly hear Huggy hiss behind you as his stomping stops. He tripped on the map.

You make a wrong move turning down the hallway as it the conveyer belt turned to steel rollers. Between your uneven footing and the smooth rollers they propel you forward.

Then, as if the machine was working against you a door slams in front. You nearly make out another 'DO NOT ENTER' sign before you slam right into it.

"Arrrgh!" You groan. You scoot around aiming the gun straight forward. "DON'T MOVE." You shout at Huggy. It slowed him down but he was still creeping towards you. "I'LL SHOOT!" It's not heard as the machine roars to life, drowning your shout out. Suddenly the door behind you opens and steel rollers propel you forward. It shot you out into a wide open area before closing shut on Huggy.

You slam into some railing and boxes, groaning again in pain. Thankfully the armor prevented injury, but you figure there were still bruises. It was quiet in here.

Using your free hand you pull yourself up, leaning on the guard rails and look around.

The room was gigantic and shaped like a silo. There were bridges going in all sorts of directions both above and below you. There was little light here with the only sources being a few lights suspended above the paths and lights surrounding the path exits on the walls.

You couldn't see where the 'silo' started below and ended above. It was just blackness, different bridges as far as you could see.

You put the gun away. If it weren't for the pile of boxes blocking the way you could have gone forward. You hear something creak beneath and then a rope snap.

You turn around as your heart stops. The door opens and Huggy lunges out dashing to you. The remaining lines snap and the whole bridge you and Huggy were one collapses.

You land on some other metal walkway, landing on your butt. Huggy was not so lucky as he misses and lands stomach-first on the railing. Failing to grab onto it he starts to slide off, emitting something that almost sounded like screaming.

You weren't sure why, maybe it was a police instinct, maybe it was just kindness but ignoring your pain you jump forward and grab Huggy's arm just before he could slide off. Putting your feet on the railing for support you use your other hand to grab his arm too and pull.

You make out yourself shouting to help pull up.

He wasn't as heavy as you'd imagined, but you still couldn't pull him up. You notice his arm was starting to tear. Your eyes meet Huggy's as you pull. His smiles fades, replaced by one of shock.

"G-grab ahold!" You shout. Huggy seems to understand that and using his other arm somehow extends it and wraps it around the railing, beginning to pull himself up.

Your mind comes flooding back. Let him drop. He's gonna kill you. You curse, his eyes were too sad looking.

Once he was up enough to stammer back and go to the gun. You were breathing heavy, and the pain your shoulder had taken was starting to come to forefront. You hadn't even realized the pain in your backside yet either.

As Huggy gets up and stands upright he doesn't bare his teeth. He was just smiling, mouth closed, looking at you.

You nearly fall over, getting down on one knee then landing on your bum. You reach for the gun, but it was just out of reach.

Then Huggy lunges at you, screaming.

But instead of death he just nuzzles you, head on your chest. He wrapped his arms around you as a snake would. He was...cuddling?

Huggy emitted some kind of low growl, you guess to be purring. He continues to rub his head on you, getting soot and grime onto your chest.

Unsure, you pat it's back. "A-are we cool now?" You spit out.

It emits some kind of murmur.

"Oh, thank God." You relax, letting your head rest on the grate.

As he cuddled you noticed his fur was matted in parts if not blackened from the dirt. Parts of him were cut as well. And he smelled strangely of motor oil. Whatever this 'Huggy Wuggy' was, it/he was in rough shape.

You lay there for a few minutes. Just catching your breath, mainly letting Huggy get it out. When you were recovered you slowly push him off. It does occur to you Kapi's plan was not going to work. There was no way Huggy, nay, no way you'd let Kapi do anything to this...toy-thing-monster.

As you get up, Huggy does as well, still close. "Well, I should be going." You say.

Huggy's smile turns to a frown as he grabs you, arm wrapping around yours. He clearly wanted you to stay. As you looked into his eyes an idea sprang up. Between his speed, flexibility and animalistic ability he was a strong creature. He didn't seem so stupid either, clearly understanding some manner of speech.

He'd make a great addition to the team, you think. He was wrapped all around you, unsure where his arms started, and legs ended. He really was an affectionate 'creature'. It was like he had no bones at all.

You could hardly believe the train of thought but figure he's also better off with you than lurking in this factory alone. There was the matter of where he'd stay but decide it'll be dealt with later.

"How about you just come with me? We can get you fixed up, your arm, get you cleaned." You extend a hand out. He looks at you then looks at your hand before completely grabbing you into a hug. He pulls tightly for a minute before you pat him to stop.

"It's a deal then. Welcome aboard, Huggy."

Huggy let out a squeal happy he'd been adopted.

Once he let go you spoke. "Now, first things first. We gotta get out of here. And my friend's upstairs somewhere. You know the way back to the top?"

Huggy nodded, pointing towards one of the doorways.

"You lead the way then. I'm right behind you."

With a purr, Huggy grabbed your hand and started walking. Just by the way he moved it seemed as if he could control his height.

You wonder how Kapi was doing.

Boredom was slowly consuming Kapi. He'd already looked through the workshop a second time, power room again, security cameras to find Huggy and some of the other rooms now open. He even texted you earlier but got no response. He'd seen you briefly on the cameras but disappeared out of sight, going up to some walkway above.

Deciding you had run off on your own adventure he left the power room. There were still two more rooms he needed to check. 'Testing' and the 'Theatre'. Testing was in remarkably bad shape. Either it had been looted already or destroyed upon closure. Scraps of metal were all over the place, glass tubes smashed in, walls scratched up and covered in indiscriminate stains.

Just searching around Kapi found some patches of blue fabric and what he guessed was Huggy's hand. "Darn." He remarked. Looking at the fabric gave him an idea. "Maybe I could just build a new one. I already have reference photos."

With no luck here Kapi decided to call you only for the call to be go unanswered. "Ah, I'm sure (Y/N)'s fine." Kapi shrugged off. As he spoke he heard something move fast behind him and leave the testing area.

"Hello? (Y/N)?" Kapi asked, turning back. There was nobody there. Figuring it could have been you screwing with him he left. He tightened his grip on the GrabPack, ready to smack whatever was hiding.

"Guess I'll go back to security, keep looking." He muttered as he stepped out. But when he looked back in the lobby, he saw the theatre door ajar. Now curious he walked towards it. He wasn't sure if the door was open before but entered anyways.

The theatre as far larger than he thought. It had several rows of seats surrounding a large stage. It looked as if there might have been a second floor but the lights upon the ceiling weren't working. Nothing but darkness up in the air.

It didn't look like Huggy was in here, but he did swear he felt someone watching him. Figuring it to be some other thief or something he reached out to the presence.

"Hello?" Kapi asked, stepping forward into the theatre.

"I don't mean any harm. I'm just trying to find an original Huggy doll." He said out loud.

"Now, now. Why would you want that?" A feminine voice spoke. She sounded to be above Kapi, though her voice reverberated throughout.

"Well, I need him for a project. I wanna turn him into a mech."

"A mech? Can't say I'm familiar with that."

Kapi looked up. There wasn't anything visible above, just black.

"Well I'm gonna hollow it out, put machinery in it and-" Kapi said as he started to walk forward. His words stopped as he heard something crash behind him. He turned back, nearly tripping over.

Standing there, far taller then him was some kind of creature. She looked to be like a pink doll but with extremely long appendages, like a spider. Her face was like a doll's, large eyes and a mouth but moved and spoke as if it were alive.

Kapi didn't know the true size of Huggy but if did, would have seen this spider-woman-thing was much larger than Huggy.

She was pink all over, her stomach, a sphere that connected to a heart-shaped torso. Whatever she was Kapi was frightened by her appearance.

With a flick of her cartoon-ish hair she spoke. "At least you are honest. I like that."

She stepped forward leaning down. She barely needed to move forward, just bending down to Kapi was close.

"I won't let you harm a single one of them." She said, leaning towards Kapi. "They. Are. Mine."

"Oh.I-I-Ii" Kapi started stammering. The doll leaned back, away from Kapi. "No need to speak. I know your kind. Think you can just waltz in here and kill, take and test whatever you want."

"No-"

A film started playing on the theater, a projector sprung to life.

The doll clapper her gloved, rubber hands together. "Perfect! Let's play a game! If you can hide from me until the films over, I will let you go." She smiled as she spoke. "Otherwise...I'll EAT YOUR INSIDES! HahahahA!"

"Now then, you better start hiding.~" She covered her eyes and started counting. Kapi had no choice in the matter.

He had no response either but instead darted down the aisles trying to find a seat row to hide behind. Seeing the first one he ducked into the aisle and crawled under one of the seats.

"10! Now. Where did you go~" She moved silently, breaking the rule to wait after the film. Kapi was listening closely but could only hear his heartbeat. It was uncanny how she moved without sound. The film was still playing, explaining the history of the factory.

"Hmmm?" She murmured. Kapi slowly turned around and faced up. Not even a full minute after she'd started looking, he'd been spotted.

"Hehe. Found you. You're lousy at this game!"

He was lying on the GrabPack. Thinking fast he shoot a hand at her. It would've been a direct hit had she not dodged fast and grabbed the wire.

"Nice try. Now come here." She yanked the wire forward propelling Kapi into the air. She grabbed him with her other hand, bringing him close to her face, holding him by the pack.

His instincts kicked in as he quickly undid the pack and kicked forward hitting her face.

"You little-" After being kicked she let go of the wire and the GrabPack hand hit the back of her head.

He didn't wait to see how she'd react, instead bolting to the exit. He was hyperventilating now, getting out the only thing on his mind.

He started running as fast as he could, even breaking into running on his hands and feet. No looking back, he knew she was definitely in pursuit.

In the chaos he made it out and ran into the first door he saw. The Make-A-Friend workshop.

The door closed behind him with a loud thud. He collapsed, his back against the door. She must have sensed him still close as he heard her practically whisper through the door.

"That's right." She said sensually. "Keep running deeper into my web. I'll catch you soon enough~"

Those words didn't help Kapi who was currently struggling to keep his breathing in check. There was a sharp pain in his spine. He was having a panic attack. In-between his hands shaking and mental anguish he pulled out his phone and dialled your number.

"Pickuppickupickupleasepleaspickup." He stammered as the number dialled.

Your phone started ringing, neither you nor Kapi realizing you were in the same room. Kapi heard the ringing and ran towards the vent. Out of it came Huggy first. The sight near traumatized the catboy who ran, screaming towards the walkway above. He was practically tripping upward as he ran up the stairs.

Behind you followed, Huggy helping you maneuver the darkness. Whether it was some attachment issue or not Huggy had insisted he hold your hand at all times.

You heard the screaming, vaguely realizing it was Kapi. Huggy gave you a confused look. He didn't know who this catboy was, Huggy thinking he was a child. He gave a friendly wave to Kapi.

"Kapi? That you?" You shout out loud. From a railing above you see him terrified, trembling as he looked down. "(Y-y-yy--nnn-n) is that y-you?"

"Yeah, I, uh found Huggy. You okay?"

Controlling his breathing better he managed to spit out. "No I'm not. We need to get out of here asap. There's this crazy spider thing and she's chasing me. She's gonna kill us!" He shouted.

Apparently Huggy understood as his grip on you tightened. You turned to him, a worried look on his face too.

"You know what he's talking about?"

Huggy nodded.

"You don't like her do you?"

Huggy shook his head.

"Well, let's just get out of here then. You know a route to avoid her?" You weren't sure what Kapi and Huggy were referring to but if it scared them both there was cause to be concern.

"I-is he safe?" Kapi asked from above.

"Yeah, he's alright. He's not dangerous, don't worry."

"A-a-alright." Kapi said, still trying to get his nerves under control. He took deep breaths as he came down, nerves shot from the worry. You waited until Kapi came down to where you were.

He looked Huggy up and down, still terrified of his presence. His hands were closed together as he was unsure what to do. Huggy had a completely different approach to it, instead seeing a small child scared in front of him. He knelt down and opened his arms wide for a hug. Instead of allowing Kapi to move forward he practically grabbed Huggy and wrapped him up in a cradle.

"W-w-wwhat's he's doing?" Kapi asked.

"I don't know. He likes cuddling. Let's go. Huggy. Lead the way."

Huggy nodded, still carrying Kapi.

Kapi didn't like being babied but was also terrified, thinking Huggy could kill him if he did anything.

Huggy looked around, determining where she'd show up from. He walked up to the main door and noticed the toy ajar from it. Huggy motioned for you to fix it. For encouragement you tell Huggy, "You're coming with us alright? We're not leaving you behind."

Huggy nodded in excitement. You place the toy back and the door opened. You heard it now, someone or something was stomping in vents.

"We gotta go." You say. Huggy starts running like a parent carrying a baby. You followed closely behind. You turn back to see some pink monstrosity behind you. You draw your gun and fire, aiming at the stuffy on the pedestal. It hits and the door closes, the doll-girl-thing banging on the door.

The banging stops, no doubt her slinking back to attack again.

You, Huggy and Kapi make it back to the lobby. You waste no time and continue to the main entrance, running past the hall, jumping the turnstile and getting back to the lobby. You get ahead of Huggy and just as you reach the doors you notice Huggy slow down. He had a worried look on his face and dropped Kapi. He got up and ran, jumping the turnstile too. He was ready to leave.

"C'mon!" You shout. Huggy shook his head. He had a sad look on his face. "What are you doing? Let's go!" Huggy blinked at you a few times, unsure.

"We came here to get you! If you think we're just gonna leave you behind, you got another thing coming!" You shout at him. That was enough motivation and he follows, again wrapping his arm around yours, tighter. It was the anxiety of leaving.

Huggy wasn't sure if he could do it. One thing was for sure. You didn't care. He was coming and that was final. You yanked him along, not giving him choice in the matter.

The three of you three burst out the doors into light rain. It was starting to spit; the clouds growing shades darker. You ignored it, instead running to the car. It took a bit of coaxing to get Huggy inside, but Kapi took charge there, practically forcing Huggy inside. Just as you put the keys in and start it you glance over at the entrance. You see the monstrosity's head peer out of the doors, look disapprovingly at you then vanish inside.

The chase was over.

You take a deep sigh of relief.

"Everyone buckled in?" You ask.

"Yeah, let's go." Kapi said quickly. You glance back. Kapi had taken the initiative to try and buckle Huggy in. He had to use two different belts.

With that done you drive off.

You weren't exactly sure what to do with Huggy but hope Displo would have an idea. Seeing him move like that in the vents proved he was capable. And he demonstrated some sort of intelligence. Either way, he was a member now.

"Alright. Let's head home." You say and you peel out of the parking lot.

Huggy Wuggy has joined the party!

Track 22 - Corn Mazes

"I should have stayed home."


It was cloudy out. Not that Tabi minded, of course. He didn't very much care for bright days. Things were bad enough as they were. He didn't need the weather to dictate some fake mood.

He had managed to recover some of his pyrotechnic gear. He'd left most of it back at Agoti's bringing only a small flamethrower he custom built and painted. 'Built', though it was just an aerosol can as the tank and a lighter in a bracket, painted to look like a proper flamethrower. A 3D printed grip accompanied it, slots for the lighter and can. Not meant for combat, it was meant for Agoti's live shows.

He found the rest of his gear in storage, Solazar having put it there. Located in the basement of the apartment it required a key to open. One which Solazar had. Tabi knew better than to ask Sol for it, less they blow their cover. He was already suspicious as to why he and Agoti would be going to the outskirts of the city of a sudden. He must have noticed the flamethrower too.

Agoti had made the excuse it was to film some music video, that he and Tabi had gotten permission to do it on this farm.

Tabi didn't sleep well last night, having been awoken by not only some illegal rave in the park but also a police presence. Much to his chagrin, he waltzed over to Agoti's place middle of the night and stayed there, surprising even Solazar.

He had taken a nap and was currently taking another one. Feet kicked up on the dashboard he had his hat down over his eyes and his seat tiled back slightly.

The flamethrower was on the ground where below the seat. It was disabled, the lighter stored in Tabi's pocket.

Agoti was driving, the car's automap showing the route to the farm. S was around as well, having taken up residence in Agoti's phone, watching some downloaded videos. He had spoken to 'Applejack1' more and they had convinced S to come, apparently excited to meet them.

People that had left for cottage country had done so last night so traffic was light.

Displo had done a little bit of research on the address given. It was found on a hybrid farmstead. In his brief research he had found the place was called the AC/SB Farm and specialized in various crops. They were quite a large place with an orchard, vineyard, corn fields and a few other staple crops.

Its biggest export was the orchard which had a few awards from local competitions for best apples. Displo ultimately figured the place to be some of meeting area and noted that none of the farm's owners seemed to be whoever "Applejack1" was.

"It's an alias." Tabi had said coldly.

"Oh yeah, and how you figure that?" S asked.

"Cause 'Applejack's Apples' is a brand of apples. They're imported from Equestria."

Agoti was moreso surprised than anything, speaking next. "How do you even know that?"

Tabi glanced upwards, giving a smug look. "They're the cheapest apples you can get."

You found the remark more depressive than anything. You already knew about his money problems, it never occurred that he'd have to learn all the specific cheap brands.

"What are you, poor?" S said snarkily. Tabi just glared at him, realizing his boast wasn't as well received. He said nothing to S.

Even with the knowledge of an alias, they weren't sure. Displo showed off photos he found a farm festival held there but nobody stood out. There were ponies present, though not any that automatically fit the 'Applejack1' persona. Displo also noted the presence of a magic user in that community unlikely. He didn't hide his skepticism.

It was outside of Newgrounds City, in an unincorporated community called Shumway, about an hour drive out of the city.

With an eye on the road and cruise control on Agoti relaxed a bit. The excursion was making him feel like they were going on some camping trip.

They had entered the sticks. Nothing but the occasional house, rolling hills and farms far as the eye could see.

S had put a button the automap in case anyone wanted to summon him. It was a ring, soaked and dripping in blood. Agoti decided he'd do just that.

"What's up?" S asked, popping into the automap. He stretched his arms, seemingly drowsy.

"So what's the deal with this Applejack?"

"Applejack1. Beats me. She's..I think it's a she, is a magic user that lives on a farm. We've been messaging since."

"Yeah, but like can't you just transfer into her phone?"

"Well, at first I thought it was because they had a bad connection." S scratched his quills. "But I tried something else. And I think her phone might be set up to reject connections like mine. It's similar to the stuff I saw the cloud guy-er-one of Displo's enemies do. I, uh, don't think you know about that. I tried. No dice."

"What about areas nearby?"

"I looked. It's a rural area. There's not much in the way of close connections like back in Newgrounds. Yeah, I can get into her neighbors but what good is that? Still too far to reach." S said. "And I'm certainly not getting stuck again!"

Tabi turned slightly. Even the conversation couldn't rouse him. Between the closeness of his hoodie and the warmth of the car he was out.

"Yeah, I thought you didn't want to come. What with no connections around."

"Hmph. Well someone's gotta go in-between for Applejack. You better not get lost out there. I'm not getting stranded again."

"Don't worry man. We won't. Me and this guy. We're unstoppable."

Tabi awoke sometime later. Sleeping in a position like that hurt his neck. The stiffness of it was the first thing he complained about. He had also developed a headache, noting that it was just because he hadn't slept much. Adjusting himself he took his hood off and stared out the window. Agoti was 'auxing' it up, playing some of his own music for S. Tabi just tuned it out.

If there was one thing the outdoors did for him was that he didn't feel he had to conceal his identity. Nobody out here would recognize him or even care what he looked like. He was also itching to use the flamethrower. It had been a long time since it had any action. He had brought half-as a deterrent, half as a test to see how good 'Applejack1' could wield fire. If her magic wasn't better than some 'toy' what would be the point of having her.

As he was inspecting it again, Agoti spoke.

"You know that's only a last resort thing, right? You know how I am with fire."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. I know you're sensitive." Tabi said jokingly.

"Hey, it's not a sensitivity. That's a life-or-death thing."

"Pfft. Like we're even gonna need it. I don't get why you guys are so ready for war. All she wants to do is talk." S said.

"Don't be so naive. This 'person' wants to meet us on some secluded farm. I don't trust it. Not for one second." Tabi said coldly. His 'deterrent' really was the whole reason. Unseen below he still had his hunting knife.

"Well, we'll see when we get there." Agoti said.

Tabi continued to look out the window. He hadn't seen wheat fields like this since he was last in Europe. He hadn't been out of the city for years, originally preferring to stay in Newgrounds City until he was successful in getting revenge. And he didn't want to go back to Russia lest he be accused of becoming a demon or something. They had less tolerance for the paranormal there.

"So this...Applejack. What exactly are they like?" Tabi asked. He'd heard snippets of the mysterious 'Applejack' but didn't know much beside them being a magic user.

S turned to Tabi's direction, looking at him through Agoti's front camera.

"Applejack1 actually. Well she, least I think she's a girl. She's a farmer and huge magic user. And she's really smart too. She cracked my riddle pretty fast. Didn't tell me much other than that."

"That it?"

"Pretty much. I have a few videos of her casting spells too."

Tabi didn't comment on that. He'd seen the videos. Blurry, low-FPS clips of someone casting magic in a field. The castor was always just out of shot too.

"What makes you think she even wants to join us?"

"Gee, I don't know. Not like I've been messaging her."

"You know what I mean. What does she think of the family?"

"I don't know. I haven't asked her."

Tabi sighed, not offering up a response. At least he could enjoy the scenery and clean air even if this was a whole waste of time.

The trio arrived shortly around lunch time. It was around then that Agoti effectively lost his signal, now relying on a 2G connection. The signal was weak enough that S said he couldn't transfer himself out. He noted that you had apparently attempted to summon him but due to the poor connection could not transfer.

"Did (Y/N) say anything?" Tabi asked. S shook his head. "Nope! Just tried to summon me. I'm sure (Y/N) and Kapi are doing just fine!"

They pulled into the off-road past a trail of trees. From there they drove into a dirt parking lot. The lot only held a few cars, Agoti's clean vehicle clearly sticking out. Though it was the middle of the day there was not a soul in sight. The abundance of clouds only made the scenery more ominous.

The three got out of the car and looked around. The place was as described. Past wooden gates Tabi could see a large white wooden house, a barn, entrance to the corn fields and an orchard all in the distance. The farm was impressively large.

Through a sachet across his shoulder Tabi had the flamethrower attached to his back.

A painted sign atop the wooden gate read "AC/SB Farm and Homestead".

"Well, where is she?" Agoti asked. He didn't want to just trespass without a good reason. Tabi agreed, though his reasoning was that he still believed Applejack1 to be sketchy.

Looking at the orchard made him hungry. He'd been saving his paycheck for new equipment, having to skip out on the last two meals.

"Hrm. The service is cutting out." S said from Agoti's pocket.

"Figures. I don't have nationwide coverage."

"I can't message her like this. Gimme a second."

Suddenly, Tabi's phone went off, much to his annoyance. S had transferred there.

"There we go!" S announced. Tabi pulled out the phone. "No, No. I said you can't use my phone!"

"Well too bad. You're the only one with a good signal."

Tabi growled. Agoti just looked at him. There was no other choice.

"Fine. But as soon as we get back in the city, you're never going back in my phone again." He pointed directly at S, angry. "And don't go snooping either!"

"Yeah, yeah, I won't. I can already see there's nothing interesting here."

"And you better not waste my data either. I only have 5 gigabytes a month."

"Geez, it's just text messages. Relax. You're getting more worked up than Knuckles...Let's see."

Tabi's phone went off a few more times as S set up the chat app.

"She says she is in the corn maze. Just come right in."

"Fine." Tabi said. Putting the phone back in his pocket, he and Agoti began.

"Woah, hold on. I wanna see too!" S shouted from Tabi's pocket.

"Yeah, well too bad." Tabi said.

"Aw, come on. Let the little guy see." Agoti said.

Still annoyed at his invasion of privacy Tabi took his phone out and tossed it to Agoti. "You hold it then. I'm not playing babysitter today." He grumbled.

Agoti looked at S and shrugged.

The corn maze entrance was just in-between two pine trees. They seemed a little out of place for the location, but it made for a lovely entrance. Outside of the maze, next to the gate was a small shack.

Passing by it there was nothing inside except an axe, lantern and discarded furniture. Ignoring it all, Tabi moved the gate aside. A chain padlock hung from the gate, but it had been unlocked.

As they stepped inside something occurred neither of them expected. At first glance, S thought he had turned on some camera filter accidentally.

As if stepping into another room, the lighting around them changed. The sky grew a dark orange, the sun glowing pale behind now-brown clouds. A yellow haze descended on them, lowering visibility. The stalks of corn, once visible and colourful were rendered dark and burnt by the sky's change. They appeared black under the lower light conditions.

"What the hell is this?" Tabi remarked, more annoyed than surprised. "I don't know." Agoti responded. "Oh it's the same for you guys? Thought the camera broke."

Tabi's phone dinged a notification though that didn't stop him. From behind Agoti, he and Tabi looked at Applejack's messages coming in.

applejack1: I want you to do something for me first.

applejack1: If you can get throu

applejack1: Wait theres two of you

applejack1: You arent sonic

applejack1: Thats you right?

An attachment was sent, of a blurry photo of Tabi and Agoti from a few minutes earlier. Both looked around but there was no sight of a photographer.

"Oh, I should have probably warned her." S said guiltily. He sent off a few messages making up something about being the tech guy of the group and that he was sick and had to send other team members.

"Wait, you told her you were the real Sonic?"

"PFft, yeah why. You think the real one's gonna sue me?"

"We're so screwed." Tabi muttered. S genuinely didn't see the issue with it.

Applejack1's messages came back fast.

applejack1: ok i can still do this at least

applejack1: just gimme a sec

applejack1: I want you to do something for me first.

applejack1: If you can get out of this maze...I will join you!

applejack1: ahahhahahahahaa

Attached next was a GIF of a movie clip of someone laughing maniacally.

Tabi took a step back and hit something. Turning around he saw the entrance they had come from had vanished. In its place were more corn stalks.

"I knew this was a setup." Tabi cursed. Furious, he was already halfway through loading the flamethrower, preparing to set fire to the stalks.

"Woah, relax man!" Agoti said, alarmed. Agoti wasn't the only one freaking out, several more notifications going off on Tabi's phone. Applejack1 was sending lots of messages.

applejack1: NO WHAT AR EYOU DOING

applejack1: WHY DID YOU BRING A FLAMETHRWOOWR

applejack1: ill call the cops if you burn my maze down

applejack1: its totally safe i swear

applejack1: not any creatures here just a maze pls just do it trust me

Applejack1 wrote rapidly. Tabi put it away, even more annoyed.

The dark orange haze had made it harder to see. Everything was still visible, just under a dark glow. Tabi's eyes managed to pierce through, allowing him to see easily. With Tabi's phone as a flashlight, Agoti used that to help.

More notifications rang off. Applejack1 had sent a few more messages that the flamethrower wouldn't be needed and to please put it away.

After a brief back and forth between S and Agoti against Tabi he agreed to sheath it.

"Though I swear if any thing happens I will burn this place to the ground."

"It's just a maze. We might as well play along." Agoti said. "Hey, this could be a team-building exercise." He continued, with a hint of sarcasm.

Tabi just sighed. He did feel he was being a bit grouchy. Maybe he just needed to lighten up.

They would have to just brave the maze.

Now Playing...

Artist: Loscil

Song: Equivalent 3

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDp2Y4T1_eE

With no map, a poor cellular connection and dark corn stalks all 'round they could only walk aimlessly. At one of the turns they came upon a telephone pole, just sitting at the intersection point of several paths.

Despite being dense the stalks were still traversable. Tabi considered going through them but as he pushed one aside he saw something skitter across.

"Did you see that?" Tabi asked.

"What?"

"The wall. Tell me you didn't see something just run by."

"I didn't see something just run by." Agoti said, sarcastically.

"Durak. You really didn't see anything?"

"Nope."

A ding went off. "Applejack1 says to avoid cutting through walls." S said.

"I should have stayed home. Sent Kapi to this stupid farm." Tabi muttered. As they crossed another path Tabi stepped in mud. While he was already grumpy this only made him more irate.

Passing another pole, Tabi got an idea.

"Agoti, can't you climb up this and see the maze?"

"Huh, probably. Hold your phone." He tossed him the phone and jumped to the pole. With both arms and legs on either side he started shimmying up. The pole was in rough shape, splinters abound. He took extra care to avoid them. About halfway up he noticed there to be a few holes smashed into the wood. Only a few seconds after noticing did the source of them appear. A metal hook, shot from an unknown direction landed right near Agoti's head. It embedded itself easy in the wood. Looking back to its source he saw a scarecrow attached to a pole away reel in the hook, lunging at Agoti. Its sack mouth was open screaming silently at the digidevil.

His eyes went wide.

In an instant Agoti let go of the pole and using his hoodie slid down the pole fast as he could. He knew better to use his hands otherwise scratching them with the frayed wood.

A splinter caught the hoodie and stopped his momentum. He ripped his hoodie arm off the pole and jumped off, just as the scarecrow landed where he once was.

"Applejack1 says no cheating." S said.

"I don't care what Applejack1 says. When I find her, she's gonna be regret having ever solved that stupid riddle." Tabi shot back.

With a loud thud, Agoti got up off the corn stalks he crushed.

"Are you okay?"

"A little razzled but otherwise fine." Agoti said, brushing himself off. "The hell was that?" He looked up to see the scarecrow glare down at him before launching off.

"Let's go. We'll find the way out of this stupid maze." Tabi spat, helping Agoti up.

They continued along, wandering aimlessly down paths. S had begun constructing a map, ordering Tabi and Agoti to draw Xs or Os at the various intersections.

Applejack1 sent a message that it was clever what they were doing but wouldn't help. S chose not to say anything, Tabi was mad enough as it is.

Just as the trio narrowed another turn something latched onto Tabi's foot, an audible squelching noise heard.

"What the hell?" Tabi remarked before turning back.

A small jack o' lantern with glowing yellow eyes and mouth had latched onto his leg and was pulling him back. It had several vines around it acting as tentacles.

In an instant, Tabi's eyes went red. While most people would've been scarred by the occurrence Tabi was enraged. Using his free leg he raised up and stomped right through the pumpkin, smashing it into several pieces. He continued stomping, shouting something in Russian.

"I don't care about the charges. Just let me burn this whole place down." Tabi said. He brushed the pumpkin seeds off his shoe, though it had now been stained orange.

"It's almost over man." Agoti found the whole situation amusing and was trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, very funny. Now I'm gonna be smelling like pumpkin the rest of the day. This can't get any worse."

"Hey what if you got on top of me then I held you up. Maybe we could see the maze?" Agoti suggested.

"I'll pass."

As they proceeded through the maze, they noticed strange things abound. There were more of those little jack o' lanterns around and more of those cable scarecrows. They'd also noticed a few flying banshee-looking figures. They knew better than to try and take them on. They glowed translucent, like a white sheet floating. They also wielded an axe, something Tabi envisioned himself using against them.

It was easy to duck down and avoid them. The cable-based scarecrows interacted little with them, except in one instance where they shot a cable at Agoti, purposely missing.

Tabi had half considered grabbing it yanking the scarecrow off. Had it not been quick enough that would exactly have happened.

Tabi also swore he saw someone walking in the distance on stilts though the haze was too thick to tell. Despite the maze having been set up in such a way, none of them were scared.

S found the whole thing fascinating albeit very amateurish. If I was out there, man, I'd show them true fear. Maybe I can convince Applejack1 to come in VR. I'll show her how to scare people, he thought.

He was purely here for the show. If he wasn't mapping out the place he was sitting back, eating popcorn as he watched.

Tabi was simply too angry to be frightened. Even after they avoided one of the banshees, axe swinging wildly, he remarked he'd seen worse in Russia. He had taken an offensive state, ready to start fighting back. He hadn't drawn his knife yet but as soon as one got close, he was ready. Just try me.

Agoti was simply amused at how angry and irate Tabi was at the whole situation to really bother him. Between the banshees and scarecrows and lanterns he wished he had brought some sort of weaponry what was done was done. If any creature went at him, he still had his fists. He felt strangely safe. He had seen the creatures get close but just stop. It was as if they were only trying to scare him.

The clouds had blotted out the sun and the haze only made it harder to see. The trio didn't have a clue of the time or place.

"Yeah, we passed this pole already. I'm sure of it." S remarked.

"You sure? There's no symbol."

"Positive. I got the map right here. They must be covering it." S said.

"Great. Are we sure there's even a way out?" Tabi asked, still pissed off.

"That's what Applejack1 said. Looking at the map we haven't gone left here. Let's try that."

"..." Tabi just grumbled.

Track 23 - Folk Horror

"BRING IN ON YOU BURLAP SACK!"

Now Playing...

Artist: Bird From the Abyss

Song: Ways of Slaughter

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCzb3xNs6Yg

The weather hadn't changed, though neither could tell if that was an effect of the haze or not. Dark clouds still hung above them, the scene appearing more like autumn than spring.

"Aw, cheer up. I'm sure we're almost out of here." Agoti said, patting Tabi on the back.

"You said that 5 minutes ago."

"And we're even closer than we were before."

Tabi just sighed. He knew Agoti would have a response for whatever he could say next. Better to just shut up.

Finally after maneuvering around more banshees, scarecrows and evil pumpkins they entered a linear path opening to an open area.

They continued walking down another path but stopped. At the end of the path was an open expanse. As they looked on it was as if they had found the exit to the maze.

Tabi didn't have a good feeling about it. This place was too open for a corn maze. Maybe it was a crop circle?

They had stopped. Not for any particular reason but seeing the wide-open field ahead of the path made Tabi uneasy. A ding went off on Tabi's phone, which Agoti still held. It had gone off a few times though S dealt with it mostly. He had also stopped announcing them, each time having done so only pissed Tabi off more.

S read the new messages.

applejack1: are you guys scared yet?

Sonic3301: Uh, I don't think so. One guys all pissed off and the other is trying not to laugh at him.

applejack1: i see well hold on

"Applejack says to stop." S said. They did so.

applejack1: whos pissed off?

Sonic3301: the bony guy

applejack1: ok ;)

Agoti watched the messages, snickering with S as he did so. Rather annoyed Tabi waited, drawing and inspecting his knife. He heard it first, something moving quickly far away and coming close. He wasted no time, lunging at it, knife in hand, before it emerged. The creature reacted fast enough, catching Tabi's knife in its claws.

A scarecrow, pumpkin for a head, wearing a witch's hat. Covered in burlap sacks it had no hands proper. He instead had metal claws on each, poking out of the brown fabric arm. They were sharp, claws extracted from a cultivator meant for tilling the earth. It had glowing eyes, similar to the same ones as those that grabbed his shoe earlier.

It was surprised as Tabi's sudden aggression, nearly falling itself. Tabi pushed back, forcing the creature back into the stalks. He stepped forward, ready to stab it directly but it ducked out of the way, vanishing back into the endless corn field.

"She says to continue on. That it's almost over." S said. Unseen, Applejack asked if S like that, which he replied was very funny.

"Good. I'm getting real sick of this." Tabi spat.

Deciding to calm his nerves he whipped out a cigarette and his lighter. No more did the cigarette leave his hand that a vine shot up from the ground, knocking it out of his mouth. It drove the unlit cigarette into the dirt, vanishing with the vine.

"Applejack says no smoking. Says the chemicals will hurt the crops." S said, relaying Applejack's message. He couldn't help but sound sarcastic as he spoke.

"Just say the word and I burn this whole farm down. Just say the word Agoti." Tabi muttered. He pocketed his lighter, less Applejack get any ideas.

"Um no, we're here for a reason."

Tabi sighed.

Stepping into the open area they looked around. In the centre of the expanse was a glowing blue pool, vines with neon blue thorns rising out of it into the sky. It was a small pool, only about the size of a kiddy one. They couldn't see where the 'tower' ended.

Other than the pool and vine tower, the area was wide open, dry grass beneath them, walls of corn stalks surrounding the area. At the opposite end of the opening stood a rickety gate, similar to the one seen earlier. Unlike the maze's entrance this gate was covered in vines lovingly wrapped around it. It must have been the exit.

Though Tabi was relieved they had made it out he knew it wouldn't be that easy. He knew this was an arena, not just some random expanse.

"You should be able to use the axe to chop the vines and free yourself. Applejack says."

"What axe?" Agoti asked.

"She says you were supposed to pick up an axe earlier. She's typing again. She says hold on."

The two waited impatiently. Agoti had still been taking the whole thing in stride, the event reminding him more of an escape room. He had completely forgotten about the whole 'Applejack recruitment', instead having more fun. He couldn't even bring himself to hate the scarecrow that attacked them when he climbed the pole. After all, that was cheating, so said Applejack1.

"She stopped typing but there's no message."

The ground started to rumble. Everyone's attention was fixated on the blue pool.

The vines started to lower and disappear into the ground. From the sky came a large flower bulb. It's petals were all up, concealing whatever hid in it. As it landed gracefully the petals started to unravel. As they wilted downwards, covering the pool a figure stood inside. As they parted the trio could see someone emerge from it. It was a living scarecrow. His eyes were glowing and murderous.

"I hope you've been enjoying my maze." He said with a raggedy, rustic voice. A scarecrow emerged from the vines. At least, he was part scarecrow. With a few steps forward he walked out of the flower, the bulb further disappearing and vanishing into the small pool.

He had a full body, standing as tall as Agoti. He wore a large black witches hat which covered a burlap sack head. His mouth appeared to be stitched together but it moved easily as he spoke. In his mouth he was chewing on a wooden stick, it sticking out like a cigar. His eyes were cut in from the cloth and glowed a bright yellow, just as Tabi's did. He wore a black poncho with gold sache along the edges. Underneath it he wore cloth clothes, all black with the pants tucked into sackcloth shoes. His hands were of the same cloth material though it was unclear if those were his hands or gloves.

He carried with him a large hoe, the edge sharpened.

Now Playing...

Artist: Ulises Valadez Contreras

Song: Performance Specialist

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DWvtxM7xtY

Though he spoke with a southern drawl, Tabi could detect some kind of European accent hidden within. From atop the flower he bowed.

"I trust ya been enjoying my maze here." He spoke.

With a bow he introduced himself. "Name's Zahrada, but you can call me Zardy."

His voice was hollow and rough. There was no doubt in either ones mind that Zardy wasn't human or any living creature disguised.

"Zahrada...Slavic." Tabi muttered.

"Oh, you can tell? Ya quite the clever boy." Zardy said condescendingly.

S was still watching the scene through the phone Agoti was holding. With no new messages from Applejack he figured that must've been her/him. The app stated that Applejack1 was offline.

"You're Applejack1?" He said confused.

"Ha. Y'all can speak without talking?" Zardy asked, assuming Agoti was talking. "Lotta clever folks this time. Haha! That's a cute name though. But that ain't me."

Zardy spread his arms out motioning around the field. "Nah you see. I'm a simple fella. Y'all trespass into my maze, you become my prey. I'm what you might call a guardian of this place."

Vines arose in front of him carrying the remains of the jack o' lanterns Tabi has smashed in.

"And I might've considered letting you all go free but look at what you did to my beautiful crawlers. They woulda grown up just fine." He said sadly. "You have any regrets, how could ya hurt such innocent creatures?"

"I don't care." Tabi spat. He had no interest in this 'show'.

Zardy took a step forward. Neither Agoti nor Tabi budged. They were still unsure of Zardy's intentions. Tabi knew that regardless of what happened next he was going to fight Zardy. If he was the purveyor of this maze he deserved to pay. He glanced down, both shoes covered in splotches of pumpkin and mud.

Getting a better look at them Zardy laughed. "Why I see, the animals are out to play today. On one hand we got...well whatever you're s'posed to be." Zardy said, referring to Agoti.

"And a goat! Ripe for the slaughter."

"Хуй с горы, go to hell." Tabi spat.

"Haha, love it when they got spirit!" Zardy roared. "I'm Slovak actually but I understand enough. Before we get started, let's get rid of the distractions!"

Zardy snapped his fingers. Out of the left field a hook shot forth latching onto Tabi's phone and pulling it to the pole nearby. One of the cablecrows snatched it and held it near the top of the pole.

"Hey!" Agoti protested. He got into a football stance, now prepped for a fight.

"HEYYyyy..." S said as his world was suddenly turned upside down, his voice fading as the other scarecrow pulled him out of hearing distance.

"Now, now. Those pesky devices cause too many problems. Kids can't focus with 'em. Can't have you callin' for help either." Zardy joked. He was having a grand time, the evil smile not once leaving his lips.

"I see you've met him my cable crow already. You know phones are a bad distraction, though I guess you city slickers wouldn't know haha." He motioned to the raggedy figure sitting atop the pole. It held Tabi's phone in an embrace, S shouting obsentities at the crow. Either it didn't understand or didn't hear S, it did nothing.

"And with the hammer over there is the banshee. Nice fella." Zardy said, motioning to the flying ghost nearby. It hovered over the clouds, unmoving. It was watching with intent, it unsure of Tabi and Agoti's intention. After all, the goat-looking one had been incredibly violent.

"You bastard!" Tabi spat.

"Let's start this harvest, shall we?" Zardy said confidently. With a swing of the hoe he laughed again.

"I'll show you a harvest, ублюдок!" Tabi shot back. Pulling the flamethrower from off his back in one motion he loaded it with the lighter. Now fully operational. He no longer cared if the cops were called. Enough playing around. He thought.

Agoti took a step back also noticing Tabi's eyes had started to burn. He was pissed.

"How about some controlled burning!" Tabi shouted and, flames blazing charged Zardy.

Zardy jumped back vines shooting up from where he jumped. Though the flame hit them the force was enough to knock Tabi on his butt.

"You think I'm just gonna fall to fire? You're sorely mistaken pal!" Zardy shouted. Tabi shouted something that was lost to the roar of the flame and got back up. Still blazing he set fire to the vines which moved back into the ground.

He had become enraged.

Agoti turned his focus to the phone. "S! Get to my phone!" He shouted. With a ding S jumped to Agoti's phone and started speaking. "What do we do? I'd kill them but I can't do much from here."

"I don't know. We gotta get Tab's phone back."

"Shouldn't we help Tabi?" S asked earnestly. One glance over at Tabi saw him and Zardy playing a game a tag with fire. The ground was shaking from how many vines were moving underground. Tabi was fast in his dodges, as was Zardy. He was screaming at the scarecrow in Russian, Zardy shouting back in Slovak.

Another squelching sound, one of those tiny pumpkin beings grabbing him.

He brought his knife onto it, easily destroying the creature.

"I don't have time for this!" He shouted in frustration.

"You don't seem to have much care for my friends either."

"Shut up!"

"Not much manners eeither." Zardy muttered.

"Tabi'll be fine. Can you port into anything around?" Agoti asked.

"I can't see much...oh! I got it!" With another ding S vanished from the phone. With the volume cranked to max and vibration on S let the phone go off, ringing loudly. The sudden burst of sound was enough to startle the cable crow who dropped the phone.

In an instant, Agoti dashed to it, going into a slide to grab it before it hit the ground. With a quick motion, he pocketed the phone.

From atop the pole the cable crow hissed. With a swing it shot down at Agoti, hook barred. With his acrobatics, Agoti managed to backflip and the hook jammed into the dirt.

Just as it hit the ground, Agoti grabbed the wire and yanked, ripping the cable crow off the pole.

Just before it landed Agoti jumped up and kicked upwards, landing a perfect hit on its head. It toppled over, likely unconscious.

Agoti didn't have much time to react when the scarecrow from earlier rose out of the stalks. He swiped at Agoti, cutting through his hoodie. "Woah! You have any idea how much that costs!" Agoti said, now finally reaching his limit. As another swipe lined up, Agoti ducked into football tackle and hurled himself at the Scarecrow's mid-section.

"C'MON CYKA, STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR VINES!" Tabi shouted. The vines so far had saved Zardy's life. Tabi had stopped caring, no worrying how much fuel used as he burned through the vines. They had kept their fight confined to the centre of the clearing, but the grass around had grown charred, ash in the air.

Just as Tabi ducked under a sharp vine he rose up and shot the flamethrower directly at Zardy. Though Zardy just managed to avoid it, the flame seared a bit of his poncho. He looked at it horrified.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Zardy shouted, eyes turning a deep shade of crimson. "I was trying to be nice, do a favour but I can see you're not good enough for her!"

Just as Tabi rose, his hoodie got caught on a thorn. He narrowly dodged a vine from the right launch down at him. He ripped the hoodie off, tearing a hole in the fabric. In the chaos he dropped the flamethrower.

The vine crashed into it, smashing the whole weapon into the dirt. Zardy cracked a smile at Tabi. It lasted no longer than a few seconds as the lighter oil mixed with the aerosol can. Once pierced the weapon exploded into a ball of fire. It was close enough that the explosion lit a nearby corn stalk.

It was now only moments before the rest of the corn maze would start to burn. The lack of wind helped contain the fire.

"Girl! You had better get out here before I do something you're gonna regret!" Zardy shouted at the fields. Zardy barely even noticed, his anger more fixated on Tabi. "You're really starting to piss me off."

"BRING IN ON YOU BURLAP SACK!" Tabi shouted back. He drew his hunting knife.

"I'll put you in the ground where you belong, jedák boršču!" Zardy wielded his hoe like a scythe.

In a flurry of fists Agoti managed to get the scarecrow off him, curb stomping the beast till it stopped moving. He had been cut directly in the arm, the cut now bleeding black.

Seeing the ongoing confrontation Agoti got up and ran to Zardy, planning to dropkick the scarecrow.

"Don't worry friends! I'll save you!" Someone shouted from afar. No one paid much attention to it. Tabi and Zardy were enraged at each other, Agoti was ready to stop the battle.

Tabi got close, swinging with his knife. The action wasn't expected by Zardy who's side got slashed, sand slowly started to drip out. "Argh!" Zardy winced in pain.

"Y'know. I was just trying to play around but now I don't care. You're dead." Zardy said furiously. He clutched his side as a vine rose from the ground and wrapped around the wound.

Just before Agoti could get close enough the banshee swung its hammer, narrowly missing Agoti who jumped atop it. He jumped up and grabbed the hammer, bringing he and the banshee down to ground.

"AAH! What have you done?!" Someone screamed from afar. Agoti only barely noticed it, his attention fully on the banshee he was currently wrestling.

"What the hell?" Agoti heard S say muffled before the ding went off. He had ported elsewhere.

Tabi's knife and Zardy's hoe clashed, Tabi holding the knife right in-between the split. Zardy was pushing down and Tabi up. They were engaged in a deadly game of mercy.

The fire had started to burn all around them, spreading to more and more corn stalks. The orange haze had turned red.

Slamming his fist it on the back of the banshee's head Agoti knocked it out. He got up, ready to help Tabi but stopped. Something had hit him atop the head. It was a raindrop. "Oh no." He muttered. Not now. Dammit why now?!

As he looked around, he barely noticed someone struggling to aim at Tabi and Zardy. Their figure was hidden in now blazing inferno.

He didn't say anything, his mind awash with a single thought. Get out of the rain. It was one of his weaknesses and there was no cover anywhere around. As he glanced at the enraged Slavs, time slowed down. It was far too late to intervene.

"You're r-reign of t-terror ends today Zardy!" The person shouted. They paused, wondering why nobody was paying attention to them.

In an instant a lightning bolt was shot at Tabi and Zardy. In that second, Tabi let go, trying to fake out Zardy. With the sudden change in footing, Tabi had moved right into the bolt's direction. The strike hit him right in the back.

It was a direct hit. He screamed as the bolt reverberated throughout his bones. It was far more than enough to knock him out, the volts coursing through his body.

The last thing he heard before losing consciousness was someone scream.

Track 24 - A Botched Setup

"W-well you guys did it all wrong!"


With a groggy head, Tabi awoke to the sound of chatter.

The first thing he noticed was that he was really comfortable. And warm too. He didn't really want to get up at first. Opening his eyes slowly he found he was laid down facing up. Directly above him was a wooden ceiling, a simple fan in the middle of it. He had the brief thought he passed away but could see his snout. No. He was still alive.

Slowly he arose, finding himself in a large bed, tucked in. The place was completely foreign to him. Looking around he was in some sort of wooden room, railing overlooking another room just below him. With the height he found himself at he guessed he had woken up in some open attic.

There was a window on the wall across from him. Glancing from the bed he could tell it was storming out. Rain drops hit the window at an alarming rate, the sound of the water hitting the roof becoming known to him.

Gathering his wits he felt sore all over, especially his back. Though he could feel no stab wounds it felt as if someone had jammed a lance into his back. His hunger-induced headache was gone replaced with a sore back.

Unsure of how long he'd been out, he decided the best course was to get up. The last thing he recalled was blacking out fighting Zardy. And someone had screamed.

He reached to check his phone to find it wasn't in his pant pocket. Right. Agoti had it. He noticed then that he wasn't wearing his usual clothes either. His hoodie and undershirt were gone, an oversized white t-shirt on instead. He noticed his pants had been swapped as well; he was now wearing grey sweatpants as opposed to his cut up jeans.

"What the?" He noticed that his stomach area had bandages around it. Poking at them he felt fine, no scars or anything. His pants were still on but his shoes were gone too. His hat was missing as well. He struggled to remember what had happened. Where was he? For that matter where was Agoti too?

Now Playing...

Artist: Manna/Mirage

Song: Instant Cloud Effect

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufuz0NVugQ4

This room was barren. Right to the bed were a wall of boxes that ended around the corner leading out of the room. Behind him was the railing overlooking the chatter and next to him was a nightstand with a photo of people he'd never seen before. There was no sign of his clothes or phone, and realizing it now his knife had been taken as well. He carefulness taking over he kept still and listened to the chatter.

There were a few people talking, he could make out Agoti talking to someone. He didn't sound angry or threatened. He heard S too, cackling maniacally from a phone speaker. It didn't sound like a tense scene.

He slowly got up, placing his hands on the bed frame. Seeing his bony arms made him cringe slightly. He didn't like looking at them, even if his real body was still there. They were clearly visible through the blue haze that indicated the shape of his arm.

Looking down, he sighed. Like the rest of his body the Family's magic had affected him. His feet had the appearance of bones but instead of feet they were paws, 3-toed, claws on the end of each coloured in the same ghastly white.

Agoti had seen them once, teasing him about being an anthro. Tabi hated it though he could do little to stop Agoti's jokes.

The bed squeaked loudly and Tabi froze. The sound quieted the voices below. He hoped he wasn't heard. Practically crawling off the bed he knelt on the ground, peering over the wooden railing.

Below was a typical cabin household, albeit appearing more like a ski lodge. He spotted Agoti sitting on a couch near a fireplace in the corner. He was just on his phone talking to someone. He seemed a little worried. Tabi knew the expression too well. He was speaking to Sol.

Behind Agoti and just below Tabi he saw...Zardy sitting at rounded table.

Anger starting to bubble again he considered jumping off and toppling Zardy but hoped there had to be a good reason.

Zardy didn't notice Tabi and was cleaning his hoe. He didn't speak much but occasionally glanced up at someone in front of him. S was nowhere to be seen but he heard the fake hedgehog giggling from somewhere below.

A number of animal mounts lined the wall alongside various paintings and charts. Seeing the wooden walls and large windows revealed where he was. This was the house he saw back when they entered the farm. He gathered he must have been taken there after blacking out. Since Zardy didn't appear to killing anyone he guessed a truce had been found or something equally peaceful. He looked around but saw none of Zardy's posse around.

Agoti was just staring up in the air as he spoke. Figuring the scene was safe Tabi got ready to go.

He felt naked without his regular clothing, knife or phone. He hoped there would've been a good reason as to why it had been taken. Slightly embarrassed by his appearance he tried to repeat your words from the operation. Of course they meant nothing in these circumstances as he repeated them. He felt vulnerable without his 'trademarked' clothes.

Shaking his head he got up and going around the box wall found the stairs and came downstairs.

Zardy was the first to notice Tabi enter, his eyes furrowing at him. It looked as if he was about to say something but turned his focus back to cleaning his weapon. Tabi could see his side stitched up, just where he had slashed the scarecrow.

Zardy was seated just underneath the half-floor Tabi had awoken on. This part of the house was open, the kitchen, dining room and living room all the same room, highly decorated with various artefacts, a taxidermied cow, and some stuffies strewn about the place.

And despite the size he noticed a hallway nearby with more rooms. It was a very spatial house.

Getting off the staircase he surveyed the scene. His phone was propped up on the kitchen table near Zardy and lit-up signalling S' presence. Zardy was still cleaning the hoe, wiping it down with some cloth. Across the table from him he saw what he thought was an anthro bunny girl. She looked very young, had to just be a teenager.

She had a sewing set in front of her, working on some dark-coloured garment. She hadn't noticed Tabi, focused on sewing and talking to S. She didn't appear the least bit scared, something Tabi picking up immediately.

His first impression was that she was Zardy's daughter or something. She looked a bit spooked seeing Tabi, quickly looking away flustered.

Unfamiliar with both of them he walked up to Agoti, snapping him out of conversation with his father.

"Sorry, Dad, gotta go. I'll call you later. You-know-who woke up." He said and hung up.

"Hey buddy, welcome back to the land of the living." He said, grinning.

Trying not to sound too grumpy, Tabi asked. "What happened? How long have I been out?" He coughed, his throat feeling rusty.

"Well you got shot in the back with a lightning bolt and blacked out. It's been about two hours."

"A lightning bolt?"

"Yeah. Here. Let me introduce you." Agoti got up and led him to the table where Zardy and the girl were.

"Where are my clothes? And knife? And what's with these bandages?" Tabi whispered to Agoti.

"Well, Pompom's working on your hoodie right now and your pants should be coming out of the wash soon. Your knife is in the sink last I checked." Agoti said.

"She was pretty adamant she scarred you with the blast."

"I-"

"Yeah, don't worry. I already told her it was pointless. Anyways she insisted we bandage where she shot you."

"W-what?"

Agoti just smiled and continued. "Alright, this here is Zardy, prince of the corn fields, proprietor of his maze. We're already introduced. He's not such a bad guy once you get to know him."

"..." Zardy just glared at Tabi and continued his work. He had a grimace on, still bitter about the whole confrontation. He had nothing to say to the 'goat-man'. His hat was missing too, instead revealing a simple burlap head.

"Ah, you're back? I had a bet you'd be out for longer. I could've taken that shot easily." S jokingly said. Tabi's phone was on the table on a stand. Though at an angle, Tabi could see S waving to him.

"Hey! That's not funny!" The girl said.

Now Playing...

Artist: Manna/Mirage

Song: Practicing Tonglin in the Time of War

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9J47uW2OeU

"And this is Pomona, she lives on this farm." Agoti said motioning to the girl. It was now that Tabi understood what Agoti meant. She was in the middle of putting some kind of patch on his hoodie. "You can call her Pompom."

She got up and bowed to Tabi. "I'm sorry about that mister. It's just, well you got in the way and, I, uh, kinda hit you."

Tabi wasn't sure what she was. She definitely wasn't human, though she was pretty close. While she had a rounded, human-like head, stranding from where her ears, or hair would have been were 2 large apple slices. He thought them to be ears but he wasn't sure. From afar he would have thought she was a rabbit anthro. But she had no fur, let alone any other features that made her anthro-like. Her skin was the colour of light cinnamon.

She had two large eyes, a rounded nose and a large smile. She must have been a teenager and stood about Kapi's height. She wore a bright red t-shirt which matched her apple hair, gold belt and a long tan cream skirt with orange ballet shoes with orange and yellow straps. She had the 'rural' look down, fitting just as much on this farm as Zardy did.

"It's, uh, okay. What are you doing to my hoodie?" Tabi asked dryly.

"Well, I'm fixing it!" She was beaming now.

Over the years he his hoodie had grown tattered and scratched. He never kept other clothes for space reasons. It had accumulated a few holes on it too. Looking at her work he saw she sewn a few patches on them, covering the holes. They were red plaid patches. It clearly did not fit with his navy blue hoodie but it was too late. He just sighed. The damage was done. She took it off the machine and held it up. She had even sewn some brown patches into the elbows, where the thread had really come loose.

"Do you like it?"

Not wanting to disappoint her he just nodded.

"Thanks! I'm gonna work on your pants when they come out of the wash."

Tabi looked to Agoti. There was still a lot unanswered.

"I'll fill ya in. Take a seat."

"I'll tell him!" Pompom interrupted. "I heard you guys fighting Zardy and I tried to save you! I didn't know he was in the maze-"

Zardy slammed the wooden end of the hoe on the table. "Tell the truth, Pomona." He said authoritatively.

Her ears fell slightly as she pouted. "Sorry...."

Agoti explained first. "Well, Pompom here is better known as Applejack1. See, she broke the code and has been messaging S here."

"You're Applejack?" Tabi said surprised.

"Y-yes."

She looked to Zardy, the scarecrow awaiting her to 'tell the truth'. "Do I have to tell again? I already explained it once."

"I'll explain then." Agoti started. "She had some elaborate plan to have Zardy fight us, then she'd save us, 'knocking' Zardy out. Though it clearly didn't work."

"That's right." Zardy said. "I was supposed to hold back, just frighten you a little. But you." Zardy glared at Tabi. "Just had to go overboard." Tabi didn't say anything, not feeling like restarting the fight.

"W-well you guys did it all wrong! It was supposed to Sonic who got scared! Plus, plus! Y-you set the field on fire, a-and you didn't grab the axe. You guys weren't playing along right!" Pompom started to pout.

"What? We were attacked. How were we supposed to..wait why did you even-what was even the purpose of the plan?! Why'd you have him attack us? I thought you were wanted to join." Tabi asked, bewildered.

"W-well, I heard what Sonic said and I thought you guys wouldn't take me." She said quietly.

"Well, no we won't. How old even are you? You're far too young for this."

"I'm 14." Her previous happy expression has faded. She was in the hot seat now.

Tabi looked at Agoti who just shrugged. He'd already been through this conversation.

"Where are your parents? It's not you is it?" Tabi asked then looked at Zardy.

"I'm not her father. I'm just the guardian of this land." Zardy said, still bitter at Tabi. "She just asked me for a favour." He shrugged, all responsibility having been taken off his shoulders. "Don't feel bad. I would've attacked you anyways. I have a right to defend my land." Zardy spat. Tabi wasn't going to take the bait, ignoring Zardy instead.

"Mom and Dad are outside fixing up the field, and getting the animals to safety. They were out for the day." Pomona just looked downcast. That explains why it had to be today, Tabi thought. The parents had no clue of this.

"I want to speak with them. Do you even know why we're even recruiting?"

"S said it was for a really cool cause."

Tabi was starting to get angry, realizing that coming out really was just a waste of time. If he didn't like the country so much he would have been furious. Instead he just exhaled in annoyance.

He wondered if anyone had ever heard of the family this far out in the country.

"Look. Thanks for solving the riddle and coming out there but we can't have you on the team. You're barely of age and what we're doing is far too dangerous." Tabi said, trying to sound as professional as he could.

"Aw, no fair! I'm perfect for the job! S said so after all. S said I could join too!"

Tabi looked at the phone, glaring at S incredulously.

"Ehn, I think it's fine if she joins. I don't see the issue. She knows her magic. She reminds me of myself in my younger days." He said, acquiring an accent to sound professional.

Agoti had been listening. He had been almost pulled into the conversation hours ago. He refused, stating that Tabi was in charge. He was much better at saying no than him.

"She's literally a child!"

"Hey I'm practically a teenager! I can make my own decisions."

"What's the problem?" S said again. He genuinely didn't see the issue. Right, Tabi sighed. S didn't have a moral compass at all. Of course he wouldn't see the problem. He looked to Agoti, hoping he shared his opinion.

"I mean..."

"Not you too..." Tabi said.

"Well what is this group's goal then? If it's so dangerous why don't you just tell us what it is?" Zardy asked.

Tabi paused, unsure of how to answer the question. He looked at Agoti with a look of "should we?" Agoti nodded.

"Ugh, fine. But you all promise you won't tell a soul about this. Have you ever heard of the Dearest Family?"

Pompom shook her head. Zardy looked as if he was about to say something but stopped. It did break his concentration. "Pretend I don't." He said after a few seconds.

"Well, hold on. What do you know?" Tabi asked. He considered Zardy demonic, and if he was, his relation to the Family was suspect.

"I know they're a family. My people are aware of them. And we avoid them for good reason." He winced, not wanting to say that.

"Okay..." Tabi gave a condensed version of the events that had happened. He laid into the detail of the crimes they've committed in an attempt to scare Pompom. She seemed a bit taken back as he recounted what happened. He even added references to what they had done to you, himself and Agoti. They weren't some 'bullies on the schoolyard', as Tabi put it. Zardy had little reaction to what was being said, listening attentively.

"That's why you can't join. It's too dangerous." Tabi concluded proudly. He waited anxiously for Pompom to agree.

"That's so cool!" She shouted, eyes glowing. "I want in. We have to stop them! Be like a superhero team, they're gonna be all 'oh no' and we're gonna hit them with so much magic!" Pompom said in excitement.

He had mis-read her. She wasn't taken back. She was getting more and more interested.

"Yes. I would help too but my vines are useless in such concrete areas." Zardy added, offering a look of interest to Tabi.

Tabi glared at Agoti, hoping he would back him up.

"I think Tabi's right. You might be too young for this. At least, what do your parents think?" He said.

"Oh, I've told them about the crew and riddle already. They were excited. So can I join?"

Tabi furrowed his brow. It was clear there was no arguing with her.

"I want to hear what your parents say first." Tabi said, hoping they would see reason.

"Okay! They should be here any minute." She said happily and got back to sewing.

Figuring Zardy was the closest thing to an authority figure, Tabi asked him about Pompom joining.

"She's a smarter girl than you think." He said, not glancing up. "I wouldn't count her out just yet." Tabi just grumbled, not wanting to speak anymore to Zardy.

Half an hour later Pompom's parents did arrive, albeit soaked from the rain. They only served to confuse Tabi more as neither of them looked like Pompom. Her mother was a witch, all black frayed dress and hat like a stereotypical witch would. She carried with her a broomstick that appeared as if she rode on. She was the spitting image of a witch and introduced herself as Amelia Carrot.

Pompom's father was a farmer, overalls, plaid shirt and an overall grand man. He had a large moustache, thick beard and thick eyelashes. He was the spitting image of a farmer. He said a damp hullo and called himself Ronan Carrot.

Pompom gleefully introduced Agoti and Tabi to them, introducing them as friends. She mentioned S too though didn't explain that he wasn't 'real'.

Tabi tried to be professional and explained the already weird situation. The Dad excused himself citing that he was a simple man and this was beyond his grasp. He noted that if Pompom wanted to do it and she knew the consequences he would support her every step of the way. He left stating to ask his wife instead. He departed to his room, ready for a nap.

Annoyed, Tabi tried to reason with Amelia instead. She listened much more attentively, and had even heard of the family themselves. She agreed that they needed to be taken out, her apparently having some minor scuffle with them in the past.

When Tabi had finished his speech she spoke.

"My, Pomona you've certainly gotten yourself involved in some heavy things."

"Can I do it mom? Please? Please?" She begged.

"And what if you get hurt?"

"I've mastered teleport and I have the emergency charm too!"

"Hmmm. I don't know...~Are you sure you're ready for something like this?"

"Of course! These people need my help."

"Hmmm..."

Tabi couldn't believe himself. "We're literally robbing some of the most powerful people in the city. This isn't some school trip." He said.

"Have you finished your level 5 spells dear?"

"Almost! I've mastered mis-remembrance."

"Well, finish up that and I'll allow it. But you'll need to come home every night. And get your homework done in time. No falling behind."

"Aw, thanks mom! I won't let you down." Pompom hugged her mom.

"C-can I-Hold on. Let me just ask the leader." Tabi said, stammering. He still didn't feel okay with this. He grabbed his phone and flicked S off it. He dialled your number.

You were currently at Displo's trying to deal with Huggy. While Huggy was relatively calm on the drive there, at Displo's he was incomprehensible.

Displo had requested an IRIS physician to come do a checkup on the monster. Upon seeing a man in a lab coat, Huggy freaked out. You weren't sure if it was trauma or something but it took a bit to calm him down. After the physician came re-dressed in civvies he had calmed down.

"What's up?" You ask. "How's it going with your recruitment?" You were currently cleaning up the messed up meeting room, no thanks to Huggy.

"I need your help (Y/N)...." Tabi tried his best to summarize everything including his ever-increasing anxiety at Pomona and the increasing possibility she'd join.

When Tabi first mentioned a child, you figured it to be a joke but, nay, he was serious. When he explained the whole "Zardy setup" you noted that as a good quality, that she could plan something like that was a positive. You picked up that he was trying to undersell her, which you didn't blame. She was only 12 after all. You ask him to put on her mother and speak.

After a brief conversation about potential issues, risks and locations you thanked her. She had answers to everything from an emergency spell Pomona could cast to escape as well as that 'mis-remembrance' spell. That Pomona had a spell to erase short-term memories was good and an asset. You told Amelia that she'd have to sign some forms but that you'd be okay with it. She had all the right answers too.

You would've been more apprehensive if Amelia wasn't a complete professional but she understood everything, even offering her magic services if the time comes. She was an expert. You didn't want to completely abandon Tabi either, instead asking them to do a meet-and-great with the remaining members (Kapi and Displo, namely).

As you and her mother spoke Agoti leaned over to ask Zardy a question. "What exactly is Pompom anyways?"

"She's an apple pie that got hit with magic years ago."

"Oh, huh." He was just as confused.

"That should be all then. Do you think you and Pomona could come to the hideout tonight? Just so we can get our bearings and figure out how exactly this will work."

"Certainly!"

You concluded the call that with a 'thanks, see you soon'. For now it was up to you, Kapi and Displo to fix up the hideout. Huggy had toppled quite a few things in his panic.

She handed the phone back to Tabi.

"Well mom? Is it okay? Can I help?"

"You can dear. But I'll need to accompany you tonight. It's the leader's rules."

Tabi wasn't sure what to make of it. You had approved, though with the caveat of Amelia's presence. He figured you had a good reason for allowing it. Receiving a text from you about the 'interview-meetup' calmed him slightly too. Better to have everyone agree first.

"I won't let you down. I promise!" Pompom said excitedly.

With the storm still raging outside and Tabi's pants still in the wash, Amelia encouraged them to stay a little longer for a late lunch and that they'd all leave later.

For now he just took a seat at the table, wondering when Pompom would be finished decking out his hoodie.

Pompom has joined the party!


Track 25 - A Girl and Her Stuffy

Can he stay with me? Mom can we keep him?"

As you drove back to Displo's, Kapi was a little upset at the fallout. Once again he was rendered useless on the team, so he said. Huggy effectively cancelled out his whole 'mech' idea sending him back to square one. There was no way he was going to kill Huggy and even less of a chance you'd let him.

You tried to encourage Kapi stating that he will find his calling soon enough. You recall him mentioning driving during Blindside and push from that angle.

You weren't going to let him just fall by the wayside.

He was still disappointed but understood that nothing was concrete yet. He also understood that there was still a long way away until the final operation.

Glancing at Huggy in the backseat, it occurred to you that if present in the operation he would need a caretaker. Since he already liked Kapi you suggest that to the cat-boy. Kapi seemingly brushed it off, nothing more than a sullen "I'll think about it."

Huggy didn't understand what you meant but seemed to like the idea of Kapi being his partner for it. At least, you figure based on the sounds he made. He picked up on Kapi's sadness, thinking hugging him would help.

As you the conversation ran dry you focused more on driving. Better to leave Kapi with his thoughts for now.

Huggy was silent for most of the ride back, content to stare out the window. You still weren't sure exactly what he was and whether he was a robot, some animated being or an eldritch horror like S. You'd tried to place one more call to S but no response. He was busy doing other things.

There was also the matter of where Huggy would stay. You decided that he'd be best at your place, figuring that the others would automatically decline. Kapi wasn't interested in hosting him, noting that his apartment wasn't large enough.

Adding another 'abomination' to your household didn't seem like much more. At least, he would if Displo didn't have a place for him.

The ride back at first was full of worry Huggy would be spotted. However, he figured out how to open the window and had stuck it head out long before you noticed. Most people didn't even know who he was. The city was already full of weird things, what was one another? The only part that concerned you now was him hitting a sign.

He stuck his tongue out like a dog as he enjoyed the wind on his face, lap. After the rain started to pick up harder he stuck it back in, preferring to stay dry as he ogled everything.

There was no telling how long he was in there, or if he could really remember anything back then. He was shrouded in mystery, even more than Tabi when you first met him.

And as you even pulled into Displo's it became abundantly clear nobody really cared about Huggy. You, Kapi and Huggy went through the back door, just in case.

It was raining hard outside and it took a bit of coaxing to get Huggy out of the car. You also made it a point to tell Huggy not to attack anyone after he nearly spooked a cook on break.

"Hands off." You had said.

Despite uttering the rules he completely abandoned them upon seeing Displo. You weren't sure why the toy-monster was so enamoured by Displo. But, regardless he automatically formed some kind of connection with the android. You guess it was because Displo wasn't human or anthro. It also led you to speculate that Huggy may be robotic of sort. Or it was because Displo's head looked a bit like the TVs you'd seen back in the factory. Whatever the reason, Huggy was content staying around Displo and relaxed around him.

Displo was more interested in the fact such a being existed. You got Huggy to show off his incredible flexibility, Displo immediately noting it would be a perfect asset for the heist. He came to the same conclusion as you, he would need a caretaker. Let Kapi think on it first.

You and Kapi explain the story of the factory and that there were probably others like Huggy. He nodded and said that he would get IRIS to send the GREP team (Grab and Research Everything Possible) to go investigate later.

Kapi's response was different. Though he was terrified of the factory he wished that no harm come to them. Huggy had warmed his heart.

It would have been an emotional confrontation if Displo weren't anticipating it. Though faceless you could hear the smirk in his voice. He responded, "I assure you, whatever they find there will be cared for appropriately. It is rather fortunate you found them first and not TGG. My people will treat them with kindness. They are professionals. No harm will come to them."

Displo ordered a physician to come to the restaurant for a physical on Huggy. He added in the bonus of a free lunch as well. It didn't take long for someone to show up. They came in, lab coat on, stethoscope still around their neck.

Huggy, upon seeing them freaked out, panicking, flipping furniture and cowering behind you, Displo and Kapi.

It was Displo who figured out the cause, ordering the physician to leave and come back in civilian clothing. When they did, Huggy was better behaved.

It gave some insight into Huggy's stay at the factory. Clearly, the toy-monster had some intense trauma. You stood by his side as the physician examined him. He wrapped an arm around your entire arm, squeezing tightly as he was examined.

At the end, she gave him a lollipop and he ate the entire thing, stick, plastic and all in one bit. The physician claimed that her tests were not the most conclusive, noting if she had better equipment she could have done better. She concluded that Huggy was an organic being with a simple mind. Whether or not he had bones, she could not tell.

He wasn't human, anthro or robotic but he was a living creature. A monster.

As for his cognitive ability he understood Basic English, the physician noting that he should be examined by a child psychologist instead. Huggy needed more testing.

As the physician left it was a matter of cleaning up Huggy's mess. He was more than enthused to help, though not understanding that the table wasn't the right way up.

It had been a total blackout from Tabi's expedition. No word from him, S or Agoti. You were starting to get worried but relented upon seeing Tabi call you.

He was annoyed and perplexed at the situation he had gotten himself into. First he gave a short summary of what happened. 'Applejack1' was actually a 14 year-old girl name Pomona Carrot. She had tried to set up some elaborate plot to pretend to kill Tabi and Agoti but save them at the last second. It should have shown her magical talent and been 'perfect'. Tabi and Agoti had completely ruined it and now they were dealing with an angry high-schooler who wanted to join. And her mother was apparently on board with her joining a heist team.

The fact that she had the foresight to plan something like that and anticipate the group rejecting her cause of her age was a checkmark in your book. He mentioned something about a 'memory-erasing' spell which sounded useful.

You put him on hold for a second and ask Displo and Kapi. Neither one had objections. Kapi didn't really care. Displo merely noted that IRIS had various elementary and secondary volunteer positions for those teenagers willing to go into a STEM career. That if needed, Pomona could be filtered through it.

It sounded like he was reading off a script but his final answer was yes, so long as the parents were okay with it. In the end you agreed and spoke to the mother, telling her to come by later with Pomona.

The mother also mentioned that she could easily teleport and set up a hub for her and Pomona to easily traverse between the farm and Displo's. You asked her a hypothetical if she or her daughter could come up with a spell to just teleport into the vault but she declined, stating she'd at least needed to have traveled there once.

Not to mention that the mother was familiar with the Family and stated they had some form of anti-magic defences. It ruled out one possibility but with their other magic it wouldn't matter.

She said she'd come by with the rest of the group when the storm cleared.

Things were looking good. With time before Tabi's arrival you go and shop. If Huggy was going to live with you he needed stuff. Kapi skipped, noting that he wanted to get some errands done before the meeting tonight.

Displo agreed to take care of Huggy till you got back, stating that business had slowed down because of the storm. He determined that he would try to run some more tests on the monster.

Assuming that Huggy was carnivorous you bought a few cuts of raw meat. There was also a quick trip to the thrift store to buy a bunch of stuffies and building blocks for Huggy.

Hours later you find yourself back at Displo's with half the crew present. Tabi's entourage was still in traffic, the storm having slowed them down significantly.

Kapi had come back earlier and was screwing around with TURINGS. He was curious if there were any games on it, Huggy behind him watching curiously.

Displo had concluded his investigation stating that indeed Huggy was an organic creature. He gave you the preliminary report. Huggy likely was made in a lab of some sort. Origins completely unknown. Omnivorous but didn't seem to need to eat much to survive. He had a very low metabolism, unknown if cause of his physiology or if because he had grown that way. Age somewhere between 35 to 50 years old. Extremely flexible but you knew that already.

You take a seat at the table.

"I still think he would be a good addition to the team." Displo said, taking a seat near you.

"Perhaps."

Watching Huggy and Kapi figure out the computer made them appear as a perfect duo. You wanted again to suggest it but decide against it for now.

A few minutes earlier Tabi had said he was close. You figured they would show up any second now.

"And I think that he would be a perfect caretaker for the beast." Displo said, again coming to the same conclusion as you.

"Perhaps. I suggested it to him back in the car. He said he'd think on it."

The door opened, one of the chefs stepping in.

"Sir? There's a few people outside, saying they want to see you. I recognize the two of them but not the others. Should I-?"

"Of course. Let them in. Thanks for checking." Displo waved at the chef.

In came Tabi, Agoti, Pomona and her mother. While her mother was clearly human, Pomona was not. She looked like an anthro, though it was hard to tell what kind. Tabi had given you a rough summary earlier but it was still perplexing.

She looked around in amazement at the setup.

You weren't sure what Huggy and Kapi were up to but they were having a good time over there, Kapi giggling with Huggy.

You and Displo stand up, introducing yourselves to the newcomers. You both pass Tabi and Agoti and welcome Pompom and her mother, Amelia.

"What the hell is that?" Tabi asked, surprised.

In the introductions, Huggy had become aware of the new people in the room. He turned around, smile as wide as when you first met him. Though he didn't speak he emitted some screech. His first thought was "more friends"!

Tabi took a step back, clearly shocked by Huggy's wayward appearance. Agoti, next to him was surprised as well. Not to mention Huggy practically turned his head 360 degrees, not having any issue doing so.

Fear only grew as Huggy stood upright, reaching the ceiling of the room. His posture was slanted, showing only to make him ganglier.

Tabi took another step back, ready to reach for his knife. Whatever this being was, scared him. Agoti could feel his hair stand on end. It looked as if he were about to run.

You and Displo were pre-occupied talking to Amelia and Pomona to really take note of the impending scene.

"Hey, you look like one of the kids in my grade!" Pompom noted.

"I do?"

"Yep! His name was...." Pomona thought for a second. "Static!"

"Static?" Displo put his hand on his chin, thinking. "Interesting. Android, about yay high?"

"You know him?"

"He's an acquaintance of mine. Sometimes visits. What a nice coincidence."

Displo said aside to you. "Another IRIS field agent, like me."

"He's the youngest of the ones like me." Displo remarked aloud.

It was only when you notice that Huggy step over the table. He wanted to get a closer look at the two individuals.

Amelia looked around Displo, seeing Huggy. She could tell he was harmless. After so many years of dealing with strange creatures she could easily tell just by looking. She paid him no mind.

"Oh, right. Guys, this is Huggy Wuggy. We picked him up earlier." You motion to the blue beast, now leaning in.

Pomona looked back at Huggy who, while a little over the table took note of who you and Displo were speaking to. His eyes met Pompom's.

However, unlike Tabi and Agoti her first thought was...

"Wow! He's so cute!" Pompom said aloud. She ran up to him, looking deep into his face.

"K-Kapi's controlling him right?" Tabi asked. It was only then you notice him shaking slightly, clearly unnerved by Huggy's presence. Agoti too.

"No. He's alive. He's friendly, don't worry."

"Pick me up! Pick me up!" Pompom gleefully shouted. She put her hands up, jumping up and down. Huggy understood and knelt down helping to put her on his back. Making himself slightly smaller he held her legs and paraded Pomona around the room on his shoulders, generally having a good time.

"She's quite active, I know." Amelia commented.

"I'm sure she'll get along with everyone." You respond.

After letting Huggy meet the others, or rather, just meet Amelia and Pompom you got the meeting on the way. Tabi and Agoti were less than interested in meeting Huggy. Huggy too, he could tell they weren't interested in playing anyways.

Tabi's expression was hard to make out, Agoti likewise. Whether or not he just didn't like Huggy or was still scared of the dangly creature was unknown. Agoti tried to play it off, even teasing Tabi about it. An action that you shut down instantly by having Huggy stay near Agoti.

S was completely absent. Agoti remarked that S apparently had some major things to do and had to leave cause of it. "Sonic is apparently back or something. I don't know." Agoti shrugged.

In a corner of the room Pompom looked over the monster. Those years spent in the factory were not kind to his fur. In places it was matted and other places cut. He was not always an expert at crawling through ducts. It came from years of pursuit, scraping himself on the ancient metal. Not to mention the brief jaunt through the rain had done little to clean him.

You noticed it earlier but there was little that could be done at the time. At least he didn't smell.

Huggy just let her inspect him, unsure what she was doing. "Your fur is cut in places. Here, lemme patch you up."

As Pompom observed him she knew what to do. Huggy seemed to understand what she meant but was still anxious. He nuzzled against her shoulder as he put trust in her.

From her backpack she pulled out a small sewing kit. She brought it everywhere she went, and had become known in school as the girl with the thread. Kids flocked to her to get help sewing patches onto their pants or backpacks. Started a whole trend in her school.

With some blue thread and extreme precision she got to patching Huggy back up. He still needed a wash, Pompom thought. But there would be time for that later.

Amelia told Pompom to take a seat and pay attention. She did so, Huggy close by. She kept sewing him up as the meeting began.

You gave them a semi-condensed version of the events so far. Amelia agreed with you on the Family. She didn't wish to get deeper into their past encounters, noting it wasn't something she wanted Pompom to hear. Regardless she was in full support of the operation.

She believed everything you had said, apologizing to Tabi and Agoti for what they had been through. Sitting next to her Tabi asked if her magic could fix him but she declined. Without knowing more about what the Father did she could have made it worse.

You learned that while Pompom was young, she was an exceptional magic user for her age. Her mother had complete confidence in her. The thought entered your mind to ask why Pompom was the way she was but you don't.

After hearing what Tabi and Co. had gone through in the maze it gave Displo an idea. "Amelia, if it's not too much trouble, and I apologize for being so cumbersome..." Displo said casually.

"Spit it out." Amelia said. She had heard all the compliments before.

"Would it be possible to use the maze? Based on what my compatriot said I think it would be good practice to run through."

Amelia didn't think it for long. Pompom backed Displo saying that Zardy would love the challenge. In the end she accepted. Displo thanked but noted he would not be participating in the actual traversal of the maze.

"Rural environments are not my strongest suit. I will be control for that session." Based on what Tabi had told you it would have been a good idea to run through the maze. Good practice.

With regards to Kapi you took charge and put him in charge of Huggy for the operation. Pompom immediately protested but you and Amelia both shot back that her entire focus was needed on magic, not animal keeping.

Kapi agreed having through it over, stating that while he'd watch him in this operation, "there's no way he's staying with me." Before you could bring up that he would stay with you, Pompom interrupted.

"So he doesn't have anywhere to stay? Can he stay with me? Mom can we keep him?"

Amelia looked at you expectantly. Huggy was your responsibility. Tabi remarked he was out as "you're the one who dragged that beast into here."

"He'll stay with me." You say.

"Aw, well can we keep him on the weekend?" Pompom asked.

While you hadn't thought much about Huggy's living arrangements, dwelling on it now appeared that he would be better on a farm. There was a lot more space to run around.

"Sure. Maybe half a week there, half a week here, or something."

It was your turn to look at Amelia. This was her call now.

"What about Mackie? You already have a pet." She said.

"Y-yeah, but Mackie's lonely. Yea! He could use a playmate."

"I don't know...."

"Okay, what if he helped Dad with the chores? He can reach high, help pick from the vineyard! Right?"

Huggy nodded, standing up, proving he was taller than he looked.

Amelia sighed. "Well, fine, if (Y/N) is okay with it."

"Sure. It might be good for him."

"It's settled then. We'll have him half the week and you the other half."

You wondered if it would affect Huggy but he didn't seem to care. If it becomes an issue we'll pick a permanent place for him. You think. For now Huggy would stay with Pompom, at least until after the maze.

It didn't take long thereafter to conclude the meeting. With a bit of planning and prep it was determined that Pompom and Huggy would join the team.

You look around. Everything was slowly falling into place.

Track 26 - Mazes, Daycares & Allergies

"It's all rehearsal. Of course we're gonna screw up."


With the meeting adjourned you had a 1-on-1 with Tabi. There had been something you noticed earlier but in the events of Huggy scaring them you didn't get a chance to ask. His appearance had changed. His clothing didn't look so haggard and damaged.

"Did you get a new hoodie?" You ask.

"No, why?"

"Just that it looks good on you tonight."

"Oh, well t-thanks. The farmer girl sewed it and washed it."

You did notice a few plaid patches that it included now. "Well you look good tonight man."

You notice some red flush in his cheek bones as he glances away. "I-uh-thanks."

"Smell nice too." You tease. Unintentionally, the detergent acted as a cologne. It was just too easy to poke at him.

"OH, uh-"

"So what do you think of Huggy?" You ask. He was getting flustered.

"He, uh, I don't know about him."

Agoti, overhearing the conversation saw it a prime opportunity to tease him. "Terrified of him aren't you?"

"Yeah, so? I saw you. You're scared of him too!" Tabi shot back. "He's just so..weird."

"No way. Some giant blue guy? Pffft. Doesn't scare me."

In the corner of the room Huggy stood with Kapi and Pompom. The catboy was in the middle of developing some sort of backpack for him.

"Huggy? Can you come over here, settle something?" You ask aloud.

Huggy hears and steps away from Kapi, sauntering over to you. His arms swayed as he walked, only serving to make him more uncanny. Tabi and you had your backs to him but you knew he was coming. You watch Agoti's quickly expression change from smug to worry.

Instinctively, you grab Tabi's hand, being able to tell he was shaking. He jumped slightly but grabbed your hand back tighter. While his hand was bone, it still felt slightly warm. You just grin at Tabi.

As Huggy leaned in between you and Tabi you watch as Agoti's hair starts to move defensively. You scratch his chin. "Thanks, Huggy. You can go back to Kapi now."

"Alright fine. I admit he's a bit weird. You absolutely sure he's safe?" Agoti said sternly. He crossed his arms.

"He's been so far. Kapi said there's more creatures like him in that factory."

"Pfft. Well if we need to recruit any more weirdos you and the cat can do it. No way I'm going anywhere near that place."

"He's basically just a guard dog."

"Well he better be careful. I don't get a good vibe from him." Tabi remarked. "Why do you keep recruiting weirdos anyways?" He asked, completely serious.

"Hey, you went and recruited a literal child, I don't think you can say that to me." You shot back with a laugh. There wasn't really any room to argue.

"Don't worry. I'm sure he's harmless."

Now Playing...

Artist: ¥ung H33m

Song: Southbanks

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti3irHea3ro

With Huggy still adjusting to the outside world you take him home. Stepping inside, you immediately notice your computer was on, playing the news. Weeks ago you would have found it suspicious but you knew better. S was watching something. There was no way the Family still had it out for you anyways. Your boss cleared things up. You were a 'security guard' now.

It had been a long day for Huggy, and on the ride home he wasn't as active as he'd been earlier. Still though, it wasn't over. Even despite the fixes Pompom did he was still dirty. You only hoped he would cooperate. With a bath poured and the water soaped up you coaxed Huggy into the tub.

Surprisingly, and much to your relief he complied. It just required some testing to show it was safe. He hadn't seen water that clear in a long time. He was far too big for the tub but with his flexibility he shortened his height to fit.

He nuzzled his head on your shoulder, eyes closed. Though he didn't speak you could tell he was nothing but affectionate and grateful. You even had to push him away a few times, trying to keep yourself dry.

"Just how long were you in there anyways?" You ask, knowing full well he wouldn't give an answer.

He merely emitted some sort of longing sound, reminiscing on days spent there, then shook his head. Those days were over. With a dish sponge you scrubbed his fur down, careful to avoid getting any soap in his eyes. Though you weren't even sure if it would affect them. They looked fake.

You also took extra car to unmatt his fur where it was and to avoid parts where Pompom sewn him back. He was sensitive in those spots.

While his fur was navy blue when you first met him, the scrubbing lightened it. It took multiple scrubs and you having to empty now dirty water and replace it but his fur started to finally shine. It went from a jean-colour navy blue to a much brighter sky blue. His hands and paws were the same, going from a deep brown to a more vibrant yellow.

Once he was finally clean you gave him a few towels. He took no hesitation in drying himself up.

"What do you think?" You put a mirror in front of him as he takes the towel off his head. You wonder if he was intelligent enough to pass the mirror test. He was, without any offense intended, an abomination. Much like S.

It took him no effort to recognize he was looking at his reflection, something he'd seen whence wondering the factory. He just stared back, looking at himself in amazement.

"Well, what do you think?"

Huggy grabbed you, pulling into a tight hug. Purring nonstop, he was still damp but you didn't mind. You were still in your work clothes anyways and they needed a wash.

"Alright big guy. Let's get you something to eat."

You settle Huggy in the living room, putting the TV on to some cartoon channel. Figuring it was time to say hello to S you head to the bedroom, checking the monitor. S was there, seated on some recliner watching the news in the PC.

"Hey, S."

"Yeah, hey." He said uninterested, waving his hand. He was watching some 'Mobian' channel. Probably something related to Sonic again, you think. He glanced over then back at the news. "Whoa, whoa! HOLD ON!" S shouted suddenly, toppling over the recliner.

You freeze. S ran to the screen's edges and looked out.

"What's that on your vest?" He demanded.

"What?" You look down. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was a still bit wet from Huggy.

"Don't lie to me! That's a blue quill! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?" S shouted. "That's gotta be..." S gasped.

You look closer. There were a few strands of Huggy's fur on your vest. They shined under the bedroom light.

"It-it's just fur."

"No way, you're not gonna lie to me! You saw Sonic didn't you! I bet he came to the meeting! ARGH I CAN'T BELIEVE-"

"Hold on. It's from Huggy. The new-"

"That's why they can't find Sonic. He's here isn't he! Did you make love to him?! You little-" S started to get really irrationally upset.

Huggy, hearing the commotion waddled over to your room, ducking under the door frame. It sounded like a new friend! He thought.

Looking in he saw you, arguing with a screen. Arching behind you he stepped into view of the monitor, seeing a small corrupted hedgehog pouting and stomping around, uttering a stream of death threats. You were trying to explain Huggy's existence but he wasn't hearing it.

S stopped shouting, now seeing the large creature behind you.

"What is that! That's not Sonic! What did you do to him!" S shouted, aghast.

"Cause it's not Sonic! Geez, calm down. This is Huggy. Y'know, who Kapi and I went to go collect today?" You grab Huggy's head and lead him down into the monitor. "You were at that meeting I'm sure."

Huggy had seen the screens before and he knew you couldn't talk to them. He had tried many times, never to any success. Hoping to spare you from the embarrassment of talking to a screen he put a hand on your shoulder, motioning you away. They are for watching, not talking to. You must not have known that, Huggy thought.

"It's not Sonic." You say, concluding.

"That's Huggy? Wow. Big guy. Looks a lot like Sonic though."

"Wha?" You say and stop yourself, there was no point in arguing.

"So that's what he looks like. Kapi told me a bit of what happened. Sounds like it was a lot more fun than my trip today with the goat boy and tentacle man." S said.

"You spoke to him?"

"Yep! Got him to fill me in earlier."

"Ah, well good." That saved you the time of having to fill in yet another person on today's events. You were getting tired of having to re-explain Huggy's origins.

"He better not be replacing me. I'm the only blue mascot we need." You decide not to respond, even ignoring the fact Tabi wore blue way before S joined the group. Or even that the uniform Displo gave you was a dark blue.

"He's not. You guys don't even do the same things."

"Humph. He better not."

Huggy had grown confused by the whole conversation. He had seen people talking to screens back at the factory but it was always a blank screen. Never once was it some animated creature in the computer talking back.

He left the room, uninterested in the whole ordeal.

"Anyways, then you know the plan tomorrow we're going back to the farm right?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm gonna stay with Displo or something. Not interested in going back in. Whole thing was blur anyways." S grumbled. "Tabi should buy a new phone, can hardly see out of it."

With S wanting to get back to the news you leave the demented hedgehog.

Even though Huggy had a low metabolism you still saw it fit to feed him. He was content with the raw stewing beef you purchased earlier, scarfing them down in one bite. He was may as well have been a wild animal.

For you, just a simple cheeseburger, made with frozen patties, shredded lettuce and shredded cheese. The Easter basket still sat in the kitchen, untouched. Huggy must have sniffed it out as he tried to go for while you cooked. You decide you really need to do something with it, even if you aren't going to eat it. While cooking you could hear stuff moving in the living room but paid it no mind.

Getting back into the living room you saw what he had done. Using pillows and cushions from the couch, dry towels from the bathroom and the carpets he had made a fort for himself, and was rested in it, in the corner of the room.

He was definitely going to be more difficult to care for than S. All S did was consume storage space. You just shake your head at the whole ordeal. At least he was doing okay. Grabbing a chair from the kitchen you take a seat in front of the television.

You now had two 'abominations' living in your house. You make sure to lock the windows in case Huggy decides to do some late night exploring.

At some point later Huggy had decided to enter your room. This was evident from you waking up with him wrapped around you, snoring quietly. It wasn't tight enough to suffocate but enough to not be able to move much. With the amount of crap he had been through you couldn't chastise him for being lonely. You manage to free an arm and pet him, as he purrs sombrely.

"I'm not going anywhere big guy." He coo'd and started to stir, letting go of you.

He was like a dog. After being forgotten so long he couldn't help but be overly attached. He at least lived up to his namesake. He sure liked hugs. Eventually sleep claims you, finding yourself much later, stirring in the morning.

Now Playing...

Artist: Takafumi Isotani & Koshiro Yoshimatu

Song: Valencia

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F3kvuoZTfk

Round 2 on the farm was very different from Round 1. Displo decided to stay out, noting that in the main operation he wouldn't be active in that way anyways. He had confided to you later that he wasn't built for such a dusty area either.

With Pompom on board plus Zardy's challenge it proved a good practice spot. Zardy was more than eager to accommodate the group. Just by your first impressions you found he was a murderous scarecrow, possibly serial killer and he had it in for Tabi. But damn if he didn't play the villain role well.

S was out until you suggested to Zardy to place some kind of device in the centre that S could 'hack'. In the end, with a malicious grin Zardy proposed they use Tabi's phone. Zardy ducked the question when you asked, but he really did not like Tabi.

Huggy on the other hand was having a blast. The maze, though tight was nowhere near as closed as the factory. To Huggy it was complete freedom. He loved every second of running around in the expanse. When you told him he'd be staying with Pompom for a bit he seemed nothing but overjoyed.

The father even remarked he'd be able to help with apple picking.

Everything was going good until you noticed going through the maze that Kapi had vanished.

"Huh, Where's Kapi?"

"He went out 'bout a minute ago." Agoti said. "Guy had some allergic reaction. Went to see Displo."

"Reaction? Is he okay?"

"Far as I know." Agoti said. "He wasn't eating anything. I don't know. Just started choking."

"M-Maybe it was Huggy's fur?" Pompom said.

"No, that's impossible. He's been with him all day." You,

"Yo, Zardy I need out." You say aloud. "Gonna check on Kapi." Just in front of you a path cleared in the corn. You dash through it saying bye to the main team.

Kapi was quickly found on a picnic table at the entrance. He lay atop, sprawled out as if it were a bed. Displo was right beside him looking him over, seated at the table.

"What happened?" You ask. Kapi looked alive, but out of breath. He tried to say something but all that came out was wheezing. Amelia was right beside Displo, a look of embarrassment on her face.

"A number of things, (Y/N)." Displo started. "First of all, did you know Kapi had an apple allergy?"

"Uh."

"And second of all, that Pomona herself is an apple?"

"W-well. She's an apple pie, but I digress. I didn't know. I didn't even know it was possible for her to cause a reaction. It's never happened before." Amelia interjected.

"W-what?"

"Pomona is an anthropomorphic apple girl-"

"Apple pie actually." Amelia said.

"What? I thought she was an anthro."

"A lot of people get that confused with her, yeah." Amelia said.

"W-well is he gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine..." Kapi wheezed and continued to breath heavily.

"He's not anaphylactic."

"God, I'm so useless." Kapi muttered quietly.

"Come now. How could any of us have anticipated this sort of outcome? This is why we are practicing." Displo said.

A notification rang off on Displo. It was the maze team. "Excuse me." He stood up. "Amelia I need you as well."

"Certainly."

You recall that during the maze run, Kapi had been standing very close to Pompom. You take a seat on the picnic table, Kapi's head in front of you. His cap had fallen off and was on the grass. You reach down and pick it up.

"Thanks." Kapi said quietly.

A box of tissues and medicine bottles were next to him. Some drink had been downed, leaving an empty glass with green drops in it.

"I took some medicine. I'll be fine in a bit." Kapi said.

His eyes watered, he was having trouble breathing and you noted his face had swelled.

"Well, I'll stay with ya for a bit."

"T-Thanks."

"I didn't know she was literally an apple. Just thought she was some weird rabbit."

"Yeah."

"You don't have any other allergies do you?"

"No." Kapi sighed. "I don't know. I don't think I'm cut out for this."


"Hey come on. Just like Displo said. This whole thing's gonna take a lot of practice. Lotta moving parts."

"My friend Connor is the kind of person for this. He's just like me but has his stuff together. He would be a better person on this team."


"That's enough. You're seriously underestimating yourself man. Come on." You snap your fingers, trying to get Kapi to stop putting himself down.

"But-"


"Look. Think of the heist as a performance. All this stuff we're doing up to it, from Blindside to the factory to this, it's all rehearsal. Of course we're gonna screw up."

"I guess you're right." Kapi smiled. "I like that. It's a concert."


"Exactly." You poke him. "And now we know that you just can't be near Pompom."

"Right." Kapi sighed. "You really sure I'm not dead weight. I mean, I'm small, my voice is all-"


"Are you always such a crybaby?" You ask tensely.

"Wha?"


"Mean, when Agoti described you he said you were a monster player, really good at your games. Hell, later he even mentioned you tried to get with one of the Family's daughters."

"Heh, heh. Yeah. That was just games though." Kapi coughed.


"Maybe you need to think of it as such?"

"Maybe..."


You continue to sit with Kapi in silence, allowing the catboy to recover.

Meanwhile, the maze was pure chaos. Zardy on one hand wanted to get even with Tabi but at the same time didn't want to hurt Pompom. Not to even mention that insane blue monster running around scaring his own creatures. It was definitely harder for him.


Without Kapi to command Huggy he was little unhinged. Tabi still wanted nothing to do with the monster and even refused to call him by his name, instead referring to him as the blue guy. S took offense to the name, seeing himself as the mascot of the group. Agoti likewise wasn't interested in commanding, leaving Pompom to do so. And she was busy casting magic.

After completing of the maze, Displo treated everyone that could to lunch. He had brought a grill and ingredients from the restaurant. Just simple hot dogs and sausages, though he prepared them all from scratch, even using fennel in the meat. Just as a thank you for allowing using the maze as a training ground.

"You feeling better now? We needed you out there." Tabi remarked to Kapi. He had felt better and had taken a proper seat at the table.

"R-really?" Kapi asked, a bit surprised.

"He's right." Agoti said. "After you left we lost control of Huggy. Things got a bit hairy." He said in-between bites.

"A-ah, well I'll be ready for the next round." Kapi said, smile creeping on his face.

"So why Sonic?" Pompom asked S. He was in a phone in front of her.

"Why Sonic? What do you mean?"

"Well you can take any form right? Why'd ya pick Sonic?" Pompom said innocently. At some point, Agoti had explained what S really was.

"Cuz Sonic's the coolest person out there. He's fast, iconic, famous, he's the hero of Mobius for sake!" He seemed genuinely shocked at Pompom's suggestion.

"I don't think he's as fast as Rainbow Dash." She said.

"I don't know who that is but I assure you Sonic is way faster than her!"

"Nu-huh. She's the fastest. She's the fastest pony in Equestria."

"Ponies? Pfft. Sonic's a hedgehog. That's one of the fastest animals around! Hup! What about you, what's an applejack1?"

"Applejack! She's so cool. Has her own apple farm in Equestria too. I wanna visit it one day."

"Equestria? Sounds dumb. Mobius is way cooler."

You just tune out their conversation. It barely made sense to you anyways.

Kapi looked to Huggy who was solemnly watching the horizon. "Hey big guy, how're you doing?" He asked.

He just moaned. He had felt bad for how things had gone. "I got an idea. When we go back in there, do you think you could carry me on your back?"

Huggy thought on it before nodding, large smile immediately returning. He liked the idea. Kapi thought it good too, he could command from atop the beast. Be a bit like D.Va and her mech, just a real creature instead, Kapi thought.

With Kapi feeling better and everyone ready, the team ventured back into the maze for another go.

Slowly but surely the pieces were coming together. Displo had whispered that he could already envision how exactly the heist could go down.

"We're making remarkable progress, (Y/N)."

Track 27 - From the Stars

"We are-we're going on an adventure!"

Round 3 in the maze went far smoother. Zardy was getting better, but so was the crew. After a final successful showdown everyone broke for the day. With the week starting again it was decided to take a break from practicing and meetings, let everything age for a bit. Tabi and Pompom both noted it would be busy weeks for them. One had some major tests this week and the other said there would be a lot of trees to deal with before summer kicked in. Agoti also mentioned that he had some songs to record.

The fervour off Blindside resided in everyone too. Things were looking good.

With regards to Huggy, you allowed Pompom to have him for the week. He loved it on the farm. The open space, clean air and endless expanse were the exact opposite to the factory. He was in bliss.

Pompom's father also noted that it would be a perfect week to get Huggy to fix things on the farm. With his extreme flexibility, he would be put to good use here.

Still wanting to keep active, Displo and you decided this week that a lot of the 'paperwork' for the heist would be done. Reconnaissance, floor plans and research. "It was time to start coming up with some concrete plans." Displo had said.

A few days had passed since then, now Wednesday's lunchtime.

The ability of magic it made teleportation from school to home trivial. However, the administration wasn't as enthused about it as Pomona originally was. They had a strict 'no magic' policy, on school grounds and nearby too.

In the end her mother was much more understanding about it. It forced Pompom to stick around the school instead of immediately warping upon hearing the bell. Pomona ended up getting around it by teleporting instead to making her way to a nearby corner store and teleporting there, but still forced her to say goodbye to all her fellow classmates.

However today she had a different idea. After her first conversation with Displo she had grown curious about one of the students at school. He was like Displo in a way, an android, television for a head and quiet.

He was in her grade and they'd only spoken briefly before. His name was Static. She knew very little about him other than him getting regularly in trouble for graffiti.

One of the few times they had interacted she had shown off some of her magic but he didn't seem that interested.

However after discovering that Displo was an acquaintance, she started to work up the courage to talk to him, curious about what he knew.

So while on lunch period, she sought Static out, finding him in the courtyard bopping his head to some song. He at first pretended not to see or hear her but she was far too persistent. With an annoyed sigh he stopped the music, motioning that he was listening.

"What do you want, farmer girl?" He asked, bored.

He had a TV for a head just like Displo. Though his was all black and an 'older model' than compatriot. It was the kind that emitted a low hum when nearby, a CRT. It was also a fact a few of his teachers had picked up on, being able to tell when he was sleeping in class. He stood about half of Displo's height, more comparable to Pompom herself. However, unlike Displo his screen didn't display SMPTE patterns. Instead it was just blank, though Pompom knew he was looking at her.

He wore a black windbreaker with a bronze-coloured zipper. Atop his headscreen was a black hat with a speaker symbol emblazoned on it. The hat had speaker holes atop, one of the ways Static was able to communicate. There were two small antennae popping out of the hat.

She might have thought they were ears but the large blue earmuffs on either side of his head must have been instead.

Unlike Displo he didn't wear gloves, not caring who saw that he was an android. At least, one would believe. At present, his metal hands were stuffed inside his coat pockets. Below he had navy jeans and black sneakers with white stripes. Pompom preferred brighter colours but understood the look he was going for.

"I found out you know one of my friends!" Pompom smiled. "I was at his restaurant the other day. Name's Displo."

"Huh? How do you know Uncle Displo?" He took his hands out of his hoodie, now curious.

"Well I started working with him and his group. We're on a major assignment. He said he knew you."

"Secret assignment huh? Well if he's in charge, I'm sure it's gotta be big."

The two continued talking through the rest of the lunch break, Static lightening up and becoming friendlier towards Pompom. She felt she could tell Static about the operation, after all they were close enough. Static explained he was an 'agent-in-training' with IRIS and also the 'youngest of the TV-guys'. She found that he didn't like magic, mostly because he didn't understand it. It was then Pompom decided she'd show him it wasn't as scary as he thought.

He said that he knew of her before but always figured she was too popular for him to hang out with. She must not have cared about anyone not in her friend group. It was a perception that Pompom explained, could not have been more wrong.

When the lunch break came to a close, Pompom invited Static to the farm for a sleepover. She mentioned she needed help studying and wanted to show him magic wasn't as scary as he thought. Static seemed more that interested and agreed to spend the night. Just had to ask his parents but a quick message later he got approval.

And with that the end of the day came and the two were off to the farm. The evening was spent studying, showing off the farm to Static and Pompom trying to get him to cast a fireball. Due to Static's 'lack of humanity' it was challenging but Pompom believed it was possible.

She introduced him to Huggy as well as her pet macaron, Mackie. About half the size of Pompom, he was a strawberry-coloured macaron, Amelia had brought him to life for her years ago. She referred to him as a dog, Static deciding not to question it.

Huggy found Static to be like a smaller version of Displo and took to the boy immediately.

Zardy had spent the day prepping the field and overturning the earth, ready for more corn. Pompom had wanted to show Static the maze but Zardy was too busy fixing it up. He apologized.

The school day had long ended and the sun has retired for the day.

Late at night. Static was charging himself slumped in a corner of the room, hooked up to an outlet. Huggy slept outside, having built his own nest, hypnotized by the night sky. He wished to spend as much time outside as humanly possible, still in disbelief such a place could exist.

Mackie snored at the foot of Pompom's bed snoring along. And though everyone was asleep, Pompom laid on her bed, not tired in the slightest.

She had thought about waking either Static or Mackie to play but both were sound asleep. Not much she could do either, she'd already scrolled through her phone a bunch and it was still charging.

Staring up at the ceiling she thought to herself. Maybe I can call Sonic? Nah, he's probably sleeping. Did someone like him even sleep? Bored she got up quietly and peered out the window looking out into vast farmland.

The sky coloured a deep shade of blue, stars present in the night sky. Nothing looked to be going on in the fields. The sky was empty, at least for the few minutes as she watched it.

What happened next caught her full attention, destroying any possibility of sleep that night.

Something emerged from the sky, steadily gaining speed, pieces falling off, more and more erratic until it smashed into the ground somewhere on the horizon. It didn't take long for smoke to rise from it. Pompom couldn't tell what it was, just that something crashed in the fields, falling from out of the cosmos.

She knew she had to investigate. Quietly as she could she started whispering Static's name.

Zardy was the first one to see it, far before Pompom did. Some sort of commotion, an unidentified object flying about the sky, chased by a few others. Zardy watched as they danced above. He lay on a large vine, a few metres off the ground, staring up at the battle. His so-called perch.

One of the objects managed to hit one the target and knocked it down. Falling fast, Zardy watched as it lost altitude before coming to a nosedive crash landing somewhere in the field beyond. His field. Well within the farm's property and thus, Zardy's territory. Smoke rose in the distance from the crash site. At worst it could've cause a fire and at best it was just some rock from the sky. Either way, it damaged the field. Zardy was on the case.

"You sure that's what you saw?" Static asked groggily. He stood beside Pompom staring out the window. The column of smoke emitted from the crash was well visible. Mackie had woken up, now also trying to see what all the commotion was about.

"I swear on it! C'mon. We gotta check it out!" Pompom said. She'd already changed into her farming dress. She was determined.

"Ugh. Fine. This had better be cool." Static mumbled. He removed the cord from his back and put it aside. Stepping as quietly as they could, Pompom, Static and Mackie made it past the parent's room into the living room.

Dark was the living room. A single kitchen light lit the corner and moonlight seeped through the large windows. It tinted everything blue but made it possible to manoeuvre.

Pomona realized it too late, not remembering that Huggy had built his nest just outside the back door. With a crack of the door Huggy stirred, lifting his head out of the makeshift nest of corn stalks and straw. He emitted a quizzical sound, curious as to their actions. Before he could emit another sound, Pompom shushed him. "We are-we're going on an adventure!" She whispered to Huggy. "You wanna come boy?" Huggy nodded, smile returning.

"We gotta be as quiet as possible. Alright?" Huggy nodded again. He no qualms about that. He fancied himself a pro at stealth. It came with his turf.

"You sure it's okay for him to come?" Static whispered.

"Of course! If anything happens he and Mackie can protect us!"

With Huggy lumbering behind them stepped into the field, smoke still a far walk away.

Zardy moved quick and silent, a feat he had been able to do with the vines and lots of practice. A few of his minions were behind him, just in case. He arrived at the crash site, a wall of stalks just blocking the entrance.

He was still unsure of what had crashed but judging from the nearby vegetation still intact it hadn't damaged much. The object had crashed near the outskirts of the property, in a grain field that had been overcome by nature. There was nothing important the crash damaged. The field itself in disrepair, a summer project that kept getting pushed back.

The smell of burning grass and some material Zardy couldn't identify permeated the air. It was pretty evident that whatever had crashed was not of this planet. With a swing of the hoe he slashed the tall grass in front of him. Just as he did he heard rustling from the site.

"What do have here?" He remarked, aloud.

Most of the vegetation directly around had been burnt to a crisp, the ground now a blackened colour. In the centre of it all lodged in the ground, the wreckage. It was a large object that Zardy could have only described as looking like some sort of insect. Dark grey and shiny, streaks of red flickering throughout it. The nose end was been dug into the dirt, a result of smashing into the ground nose first.

The resulting impact had also knocked down a lot of the grass surrounding. If the ground wasn't still hardened from the winter it could've made a crater. Smoke emitted from the object and parts of the ground glowed yellow, indicating it was still hot. The vessel had been opened, a glass pod roof raising him. But despite a seat being visible, there was nobody around.

Zardy could tell that whoever was the owner of this, was hiding behind it. That much was evident. He could hear someone breathing behind, trembling.

"You wanna get out here and face me? Don't worry. I won't hurt ya." He said with a wicked grin.

The brute and the cable crow had arrived behind Zardy, a few tiny pumpkins behind them. With the vines still at his disposal he was ready for anything.

Despite his confidence what occurred next he could not have predicted.

"What do you think you're doin'?" Someone had said. Zardy was confused, because the voice sounded exactly like his. It lacked the confidence and malice but it was his voice. The brute looked at Zardy strangely.

From behind the wreckage someone crawled out. In his nocturnal vision he could make it out was some humanoid woman. She had glowing salmon-coloured eyes that shone in antithesis to Zardy's yellow ones.

"Uh, who are you?" The person said. They sounded exactly identical to Zardy. Such uncanny-ness was not lost on him and he readied his hoe for combat.

"What the hell is this?!" He shot back.

"I asked first."

"Why do you sound like me? What is this?" Zardy said. He was getting frustrated.

"I am you. Just as one another." The figure said cryptically. "I am the real one."

"I don't know what this is. You two, get him!" Zardy said, commanding the cablecrow and brute. The brute raised its hammer and cable readied his hookshot.

"No! Get him! He's fake!" The figure shot back. She cleared her throat, voice starting to sound more like Zardy's.

The brute and cable crow lowered their weapons and looked to Zardy, then back at the figure.

"What! You can't be serious. I am your master! Not this...this thing! SHE DOESN'T EVEN LOOK LIKE ME!"

"He lies! Get him!"

"Why you little!" Zardy jumped, ready to slash at the imposter. Just before Zardy could jump one of the pumpkins lashed out a vine and grabbed his leg, slamming him back to the ground.

"HOW ARE YOU EVEN GETTING CONFUSED? THAT THING IS CLEARY NOT ME!" Zardy shouted in frustration.

Despite this the pumpkin refused to let go. With a shot of the vine through the soil, it smashed through it releasing Zardy.

Seeing Zardy recklessly destroy his units further solidified him as a fake, so the brute and cable crow thought. The Brute swung first, unleashing his hammer down on the animated scarecrow.

"You fools!" Zardy shouted.

In mere seconds, Zardy grabbed his hoe and blocked the shot, shooting another vine up to grab the hammer.

"You won't be getting away alive now." Zardy cursed. He got back up, the brute now suspended in the air by vines. The cable crow moved next, intending to hook shot through Zardy's stomach.

In the ensuing confusion the figure turned and started running. It took nary a second for a vine shot up in front, effectively blocking their path. The figure backed up, turning around.

From behind her a smaller vine shot up, grabbing both of her arms, locking her movement.

"Zardy! What's going on?" Pompom shouted, entering the crash site. She heard the confusion and with her little group in tow ran right to it.

"Pomona, stay back! This person is dangerous!" Zardy shouted. He was locked in duel with the cable crow, its claws trying to shred through the handle.

As the figure laid eyes on Pompom she froze. "Wait!" She shouted.

"Y-you aren't agents?" The figures voice changed again, now sounding like Pompom.

"Wha-how did she?" Pompom said, surprised.

"I don't know. Did it to me. I think she can control-" With a push Zardy knocked the cable crow forward. Vines immediately sprung from the ground grabbing both of its arms. He slammed it to the ground, knocking the wind out of the crow.

"Now. You." Zardy said angrily, focusing on the figure. He had the vines raise off the ground, rendering the figure unable to stand.

"W-wait. You aren't with them right?" The figure pleaded.

"What? With who?!" Zardy said. "And stop copying everyone's voice!" He spat.

"I-I can't. I-I'm sorry."

"Well then start talking." Zardy said.

"I-I-I" The figure struggled to say. Between the restraints and the crash she was failing to maintain her composure.

"Zardy put her down!" Pompom shouted. With the figuring copying Pompom's voice it had the opposite effect. It made Pomona more sympathetic.

"Argh. Fine. But don't try anything." With the flick of his hand he released her. She fell to the ground, struggling to get up. She seemed heavily fatigued.

Huggy, sensing danger went to his 'mini-Displo' and guarded him. Static was just surprised by the whole situation. He had plenty of questions, though the intruder looked in no state to answer them.

She started weeping, trying pulling herself up onto the ship. "I-I'm sorry. I-I can explain."

Pompom stepped forward wanting to help her but Zardy stopped her. "No." He said sternly. He still wasn't convinced she was being genuine. He kept the large vine up so she couldn't easily escape.

After a few seconds, she spoke again.

"I don't have a voice." The figure said, still using Pomona's voice.

Static, still unsure what to do shined his face towards the figure, better illuminating the scene. It only served to make Zardy more annoyed who used the vines to forcibly move the brute and cable crow head to look at the figure. She looked nothing like Zardy.

She had coral coloured hair, curled and unkempt. A dark blue turtleneck covered her upper body, matching with her pants. A belt separated them, the same colour as her hair. A strange symbol emblazoned the front, one nobody present recognized. Her boots were the same navy blue, socks or a red part of the boot reaching up to her knees.

She looked humanoid but was clearly not human. Her snow white skin and immediate lack of a nose gave it away. Static's first thought was that she was alien of some sort, though he kept quiet. Her eyes were large and black, no colour in the iris.

A lone baseball cap was next to her that fell off in the struggle, revealing more messy hair.

"I have to use others. T-they removed my ability to communicate normally. I-i-I was trying to escape when they, they, they shot my ship down. Sorry, I didn't mean any harm. I just thought you were them." She trembled as she spoke, just on the precipice of a nervous breakdown.

Zardy crossed his arms, still annoyed.

"Who were you running from?" Static asked.

"I d-don't know their names. People in lab coats. People that keep asking questions. They keep saying I did something. But they won't tell me..."

Though unseen, Static raised an eyebrow. That sounded to him a lot like his own company. He thought of contacting Displo.

"I keep seeing three guys. Large guy, a guy in gold and a guy with wings." She said, distraught, mumbling stuff under her breath.

"Y-you're really not with them?"

"No..." Zardy said.

"Definitely not!" Pompom shouted.

"My name is Nikku Moriaka. I'm not from this planet. I'm a...I'm not sure. All I can remember is that. That ship is mine I think. It had my name on it."

Zardy looked to Pompom, with a look of "what should we do?" This was far beyond what he was used to dealing with. This was Pomona's call.

"Well we won't hurt you." Pompom said. Mackie barked in agreement. "You should come back to my house. My mom will know what to do."

"I-T-that would be nice." Nikku said. She reached down and picked up her hat.

The whole conversation was confusing Mackie who wasn't used to someone else sounding exactly like Pomona. Huggy likewise was confused, instead gripping Static tighter in confusion.

"You don't know anything about these people?" Static asked. He was still unsure. To him, it still sounded like IRIS.

"I-" Nikku gasped. As she got up her eyes went in shock at something behind the group.

"I-i-t's th-e-mmm." She barely whispered, terror gripping her.

"Who?"

"Them!"

Track 28 - All the Kings Men

"We are a family. We won't back down."

"You've already said too much." Someone said.

Pompom turned around to see a large man standing behind everyone. He was tall and buff, his physique barely contained by the snow white suit he wore. It didn't take much for Pomona to realize this was the 'large man' that Nikku was so frightened by. He wasn't human or anthro either, instead a being seemingly made out of clouds.

Next to the cloud man stood an equally perplexing individual. He stood as tall as the cloud man but not as wide. His species was hidden behind a golden mask he wore. Even in the late night it shimmered under the moon. Gold in colour and further obscured by a hood Pompom couldn't see any eyes behind it.

The two were surrounded by several people clad in black tactical armour, all wielding machine guns. By the lack of reaction none of them recognized the crew. Some wielded flashlights though none were aiming directly at them. They could all see each other clearly.

Nikku stepped back, hitting a vine. Zardy still hadn't retracted them, not intending to let Nikku get away so easily.

Like Nikku, their presence also frightened Huggy. He put a hand on Static, ready for anything. Zardy relinquished the brute and cablecrow from his grasp. He had the same feelings as everyone else. He wasn't even sure how they got onto the farm without detection. It worried him.

These men meant business. The clouded man stepped forward first, a stern expression on his face.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "I apologize for the intrusion but it seems something that belongs to me and my associates ended up here." He spoke calmly with a firm and deep voice. To Pompom, it was almost hypnotizing.

He took another step as he surveyed the group.

"With your cooperation-" He paused, eyes settling on Static.

Even his small black eyes were enough to make Static tremble. He didn't recognize him in the slightest but something in him warned to stay quiet.

The cloud man grinned. "My my~ It seems like IRIS already beat me to it."

"You see. This changes things." He let loose a wicked smile. He took another step forward, this time towards Static. "Do you intend to report this little incident?"

"I don't know what you're t-talking about. I don't know you."

"Sure you don't~ You agents...always so bad at lying. Tsk."

Huggy sensed something was extremely wrong. As a dog would its newborn, he grabbed Static, pulling him closer. Huggy hissed at the man.

The cloud man just let out a small chuckle, surveying the rest of the group. "It's like I've stumbled upon a whole circus. So many...impossible creatures. So many that need to be studied and contained."

"Hmm?" The masked man spoke and looked behind him, a few soldiers turning that way. "If you're planning on making some grand appearance I recommend you do it now." He said to the grass nearby. He had some kind of accent Pompom couldn't place. It almost sounded like the other farmers she knew.

In an instant, something materialized next to Pompom. It happened so fast the group flinched, aiming guns at them. The clouded man and masked man were the only ones who did not move.

Through the act of teleportation Amelia and Ronan appeared. Ronan was armed with a shotgun. She had picked up on what was going on earlier, noticing several unmarked vehicles pull up onto the farmstead.

"Mom!" Pompom said, relieved. She would have given her a hug but things were already too tense.

Amelia's face shone otherwise but she was worried now too. How did they detect her? She and Ronan had teleported nearby, watching the scene closely.

"Get off my property." Amelia said. She had her hands ready to cast.

"Oh? Reinforcements?" The cloud man spoke. "Let's say you hand us the girl and maybe we leave you all in peace. Leave your little 'circus' alone." He said aloud.

Now Playing...

Artist: Satoshi Okubo

Song: Yellow Desert

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iodbPXS5Iyo

Pompom looked back to Nikku. There was genuine fear in her eyes. Pompom, emboldened by her mother's appearance responded.

"You're not taking her."

"Hmph. I'm not in the interest of negotiating with children. Especially abominable children."

Zardy spoke up next. Much as he didn't like Nikku, he felt the show of force in front of him was far more alarming. They had invaded his farm.

"She's right. You are not taking her."

"And I don't negotiate with demons. You creatures don't even understand morality." The man glared at Zardy.

"Grrr. I'm not a demon you-" Zardy began to speak but the intruder just ignored him.

Amelia glanced back to see Nikku, shrivelled up practically clinging to the vine.

"Are you perchance the owner of this property, madam?" The intruder said, unfazed by Amelia's glowing hands.

"She and I are." Ronan said, raising the shotgun. "Now I suggest you get off my property or else." Ronan said.

"Hmph. I don't intend to leave until I get her and her ship back."

"You aren't police? You got a warrant?" Ronan asked.

"We are not police and no. We don't need one to collect what belongs to us." The masked man said.

Amelia's hands started glowing. She was ready for combat.

"You'd still wish to fight even though you're outnumbered?" The cloud man said, a hint of surprise in his voice.

With a cock of the handle, Ronan loaded a shell.

Pomona, seeing that her parents were being serious and got ready.

Zardy could tell the numbers. They were outnumbered but he knew what Amelia was capable of. With them unified he saw it fit to help. He readied the hoe, mentally controlling vines unseen underground.

Mackie growled.

Huggy also understood the mood, getting ready to lunge if need be.

Static, caught in the middle of this saw no other option but to get ready as well.

The whole farm had assembled, a family united.

Zardy, Amelia, Pomona, Ronan, Mackie, Static, Huggy and Zardy's people were ready.

But despite the show of unity, their commanders seemed unfazed.

"We are a family. We won't back down." Pompom said.

"Hmph. Even if I leave now how will I know that little agent there won't take her for their own purposes?"

"I won't dude. I swear. Honest." Static said. He held a hand up.

"How can I be so sure?"

"I-i don't know. I'm not an agent. I swear."

"Hmmm."

The commander weighed his options. A potential IRIS agent, two magicians, farmer with a shotgun, some demonic scarecrow, his cronies, a dog thing and an abomination; and they were all the same page.

The commander raised his hand and the soldiers behind him lowered all their guns.

"This isn't over. You people don't know what she's capable of...but no matter. I'll leave you to her for now. She should be harmless in the state she's in. "

He took a step back. "But whatever happens next, is on all of you."

He looked to Static. "If I hear anything about that girl ending up in IRIS' hands. I will personally pay you a visit."

Static, though expressionless shivered a bit in fear. He nodded.

Before the commander could leave, the masked man stopped him, whispering something to the clouded man. The commander responded. "It's fine."

As they all walked away, Pompom turned to Static. She whispered. "What was that all about?"

"I-I don't know."

"Maybe he got you confused with Displo?"

The clouded man froze. He turned around, all his soldiers following to. His expression had grown stern, just as before but he looked angry now.

"Displo? Did you just say Displo?" He stepped forward.

"This changes everything. Deal's off." He raised his hands up and in an instant the standoff resumed. "Too good to be true." The masked man said, bemused.

"You know Displo? What is the nature of this relationship?" The cloud man asked, anger trickling in his voice.

Pompom felt compelled to answer, figuring the whole thing a misunderstanding. "Y-yeah. We're part of-" She stopped only after being jabbed by Amelia. She had already told Pomona once to keep the team a secret.

It was enough as the commander grinned.

"You're employed by that tin can aren't you?" He said.

"We aren-" Zardy began to say but was cut off. "No need to lie. I can read it on your faces. You're part of that 'group' Displo's been assembling. To think he'd employ a child." The commander grimaced. "Pathetic."

"Indeed." The masked man said. He put a hand on the clouded man's shoulder and whispered something else to him. "Hmm. I do like the sound of that."

Again the commander raised his hand, causing all the guns to lower.

"I'm willing to overlook your... paranormal infractions." He said, motioning to Huggy, Zardy and Mackie. "And even keep the girl. On one condition."

"What's that?" Zardy asked annoyed he was being singled out.

"Nothing that concerns you currently. I'll be in touch with Displo. You'll all know exactly what tomorrow. You have my word I will not make any moves against the girl...or you..for now."

He turned again. "May you all have a good night." He said, looking back with a wicked grin on his face.

Amelia quietly cast a mute spell on Pompom, just in case she tried to say something and jeopardize the situation again.

And just as fast as they entered the crash site they were gone. They all waited and extra minute just to make sure they were out of earshot. Satisfied everyone dropped their poses. The threat had vanished.

Ronan turned back to see Nikku. She had collapsed during the standoff and passed out.

"Let's get back home." Ronan said, patting Amelia on the back. "And you two have a lot of explaining to do." He said sternly to Pomona and Static. Pompom tried to protest but was unable to, instead glaring at him.

As Ronan went to pick Nikku up, Amelia spoke to all. "Good job everyone. That was really impressive."

Zardy relaxed too, dropping his shoulders. "You really have no idea who that was?" He asked Static.

"Honest. I don't know him." He said.

"You're some kind of agent?"

Static shook his head. "No! They said I'm too young to be one."

"Well he knew you were."

"I'm not sure. He probably knows my uncle." Static said. Pompom tried to mouth something instead nodding in agreement.

Pompom and Mackie stepped back to go inspect the wreckage. The spell was wearing off; Pompom could feel her voice returning.

The ship was still partly buried in the soil. Its lights had long faded and the ship powered down. Looking inside Pompom saw a variety of buttons, many of which had paper taped to them, noting various things. There were all sorts tools scattered inside, screwdrivers, clipboards, hammers and the like. Whoever had captured her had been analyzing the ship as well.

"What should we do about the ship?" Pompom asked.

"Zardy, can you conceal it for the time being?" Amelia asked.

"Sure."

With his two henchmen, Zardy got to work on allowing the vines to overtake the ship, pulling it into the ground.

The rest of the group started to make their way back to the house.

"So are you gonna keep her?" Static asked.

"No." Ronan said. "But we're certainly not gonna let them take her either."

"Maybe Displo can take her in?" Static asked.

"I doubt that; he made it very clear he wanted you to stay away from her." Amelia said.

"But that was before he found out how Displo though. What was he talking about? What are you guys doing with my uncle?"

"I-uh don't think we can tell you." Pompom said, now having learned her lesson.

"Hmm alright. Maybe someone in your team could take her in." Static said, rather unhelpfully.

"Perhaps, but that'll be for me to figure out. You two should go back to bed." Amelia said.

Huggy and Mackie trailed alone behind the group. In just the few days spent together they had begun to learn to communicate with each other. Huggy lagged behind because he was so enamoured by the stars. He had looked out at the sky back at the factory but saw nothing but empty blackness.

Light pollution in the area blotted out the stars there too. To finally see it now was mesmerizing for him, even after having looked it for a few nights already.

"Why? I want to stay by her, make sure she's okay." Pompom said.

"No and that's final. It's a school night too."

"Aww, please?"

"You heard your mom. It's bed time. For the both of you." Ronan added.

Static shrugged. He didn't really have any opposition. He was just curious about the team.

"I'm gonna leave early tomorrow morning if that's okay. I want to talk to my uncle. He's gonna wanna know what happened."

"Oh! We could teleport you there!" Pompom said, instantly abandoning her mission to help the unconscious girl.

"Really? Is it safe?"

The two new friends continued to talk, trying to figure out what the mysterious man meant and how he knew Displo.

Back home, morning came after a quiet night. The alarm rang though you had been long up before then.

Now Playing...

Artist: Satoshi Okubo

Song: Hangover Blues

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0-MHiBXHnM

It was at first your phone dinging a few times, text messages coming in. Then S appeared and begun to rouse you, not shouting but being as annoying as he could be, spouting all sorts of things.

Opening your eyes slowly, you see sunlight seeping through the blinds. It lit your room in a cool white glow.

"Hey! Hey! Are you up now? That butler is freaking out." S demanded. He spoke from your phone, computer and some machines in the rest of the house. It was like an intercom.

"Mhmhhm? What's he want?" You ask groggily.

"I'm not quite sure actually. But from the looks of it; guy's ang-er-ryy!."

You turn over and grab your phone, eyes weary from sleep. Displo had indeed sent a bunch of messages. As you scroll through there's a lot you skim what was going on.

Mostly texts about you needing to come in, to call him asap, to come in, that the team is screwed, to come in and to call him asap. There was one message noting that "we never should have let a child in." and how "this is all that goat's fault!"

"What happened with Pomona?" You ask S.

"Beats me. Haven't heard anything from her recently. We were auguring about who was faster the other day. See I was..." S said, starting to trail off.

You send Displo a message you'd be there soon. Checking the phone's clock it was just past 6:00AM, about a hour earlier than your alarm.

Stepping up you get ready for the day.

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" S shouted as you walked away from your phone.

"Yeah, yeah. Any idea what Displo wanted?"

"Pfft. I already said I'm not your secretary."

You just ignore him and continue on.

You check the living room. Still in disarray from Huggy. His pillow fort stood tall, occupying an entire corner of the room. Huggy was nowhere to be found. You do a double take, still groggy. Oh yeah, he was at Pomona's. Better just wash up.

Your phone rang off again. "Displo?" You ask in between some teeth brushing.

Though he still denied it, S had become your assistant. It was a position he begrudgingly accepted in exchange for storage space for his growing collection of 'videos from Mobius'. You gave him some privacy but the last time you glanced at the folder's thumbnail it was a bunch of pictures of the real Sonic.

"Not that bag o' bolts! It's your boyfriend."

"Huh?"

"Oh, is he not?" S laughed. You ignore him.

Spitting out the mouth wash you check. It was from Tabi.

"I'm going to be in the area today. Would you like to get lunch?" The message read.

And then hastily, he added. "my treat."

You tell him you'd love that and to see him around then.

You don't add that Displo would probably just comp the meal anyways or that you could pay it. You knew he was strapped for money.

Tabi had been messaging you more than the others. Mostly conversations about the team and stuff but slowly he'd been asking about your day, and how things were going on at the restaurant. It wasn't the least bit annoying, and you started to find yourself enjoying those messages more and more.

"Am I wrong?" S asked again, tauntingly.

"Well...I don't know."

"Ha! Lovebird. Just admit it."

You just about make some snide remark about S not loving anyone but stop. You already knew is answer and the lecture that would follow. It was a strange obsession that he had. Better not to open that can of worms.

"You coming to Displo's?" You ask while getting dressed.

"Ehn, sure. Why not? Bit curious to see what's got him so riled up!"

You grab your phone as you get ready to head out the door.

"So what's going on with Mobius today?" You ask. You knew even if you didn't he was still going to tell you. It had become a bit of a morning routine. Sad to say but you had become more knowledgeable in Mobian politics than Newgrounds City. Nah, you knew the cities politics. Corruption and that blasted Family.

"Well since you asked. Let me see." You put the phone on the holder. S was on screen, now picturing himself in a news studio, holding a newspaper in hand.

In the days spent you found he always loved putting on a show, even if nobody was watching. He was like a cartoon character, if they were also an eldritch, possibly ageless being.

"Not much today. Eggman is still missing, the now titled Starline Wars are still raging across Mobius. Most recently, his empire has become engaged in a brutal struggle for the Green Hill Zone..." S said, pretending to speak like a reporter.

Eventually S had finished reading the morning news and left, off to go do whatever he did during the day. You tried not to concern yourself with it, telling S that as long as he stays out of trouble and doesn't bring attention to the crew or you didn't care.

You knew S had at least been building a rep for himself. You nearly spat out your drink when you read a post talking about a cursed Sonic appearing in VR.

S said he wasn't hurting anyone but it didn't stop the worry. You just kept reminding yourself to 1. Never go in a VR set again and 2. That He was on your side...for now.

Pulling into Displo's you get out. For the early morning the lot was abandoned, only a few cars present. Probably the prep cooks, you think.

In the time you had worked here you started to realize how good of a spot it was. The area had little crime, it was one of a kind, a real bistro amongst fast food restaurants and it was near an industrial park so it always had hungry people coming by during lunchtime and dinner.

You wondered if Displo or IRIS chose the spot. Either way you had grown to like the place.

Approaching the front door you see Displo...and a smaller Displo? You have to double-check. You open the door for them.

Displo looked in a hurry, the small Displo following close.

"Morning (Y/N). I'm sorry but I must go and drop him off." He said quickly.

"I-"

"I'm sorry, this is, uh, Static. He's, my, uh, I mentioned him before. I'll explain when I get back." He said before waiving off and getting into a car.

You just shrug and head inside.

Track 29 - A Daring Challenge

"What have we gotten ourselves into?"

Predictably, the restaurant was empty. At least almost, you notice there were some people seated around some of the tables. Sitting were some of the prep-cooks, having convinced Displo to prep in the dining room. They looked to be having a good time.

Before you could go and say hello you were stopped, or rather nearly toppled over by a green blur almost crashing into you.

If it wasn't for the plants behind you would've fallen over.

"Oh, (Y/N). Thank goodness you're here. I need help." It was Tess, the waiter Displo had hired sometime ago. She looked distraught. Maybe she was sleepy too, you think. Do robots even get tired like us? She wore her trademark green metal dress.

"What's up?" You ask, getting up.

"I feel like I'm losing control. It's her." She pointed to the prep cook table. Seated around were the usual crowd with the exception of one individual. A girl, not in uniform, dressed instead like a thief, all black.

Not much like a thief she just sat there, awkwardly peeling potatoes with the rest of the cooks. There was something uncanny about her. Looking closer she didn't appear human and definitely not an anthro.

"What about her?" You ask. While she was out of uniform, she just seemed to be another prep cook.

"It's j-just-Just listen to her. I can't concentrate, focus or do anything!" Tess whispered.

Still seeing nothing odd about the situation you approach the prep cooks. Over the days you had slowly learned the names of the staff here. You wish them a good morning, a few of them noting your early arrival. You remark that it was upon Displo's request as you try to stifle a yawn.

"Not surprised, guys really on edge today." One of the cooks said.

"Any idea why?"

"Nah, something to do with his nephew. That little kid."

"Huh, he told me that was his friend."

"Yeah, real weird. The kid kept saying the boss was his uncle, then chief kept saying he was just a close friend." Another cook said. He was elbows deep in chopping onions. "Dysfunctional family if you ask me. They look exactly the same."

"Hey, not exactly." One of the cooks chided.

"Weird...Anyways, who's this?" You say motioning to the new girl.

She was about to say something but one of the cooks spoke up first. "This is Nikku. She's the latest addition to our posse here."

"Hey c'mon, least tell the truth. Nah, she's one of the boss' friends. We're short a guy today, and, well she wasn't doing anything."

"I-" She started to say.

"Wait, hold on. You gotta hear this, (Y/N). Do 'em next." The third cook nudges Nikku, who just looks more than lost amongst the group.

She cleared her throat. "It's good to meet you. I'm Nikku." She said. You stepped back. Whether it was a trick or a million in one coincidence she had the exact same voice as you. It sounded surreal.

You uneasily shake her hand.

The prep cooks just looked to each other giddy, like they got another one.

"How are you?"

"I, uh, don't have a voice myself. I can only use other people's." She said meekly.

One of the cooks nudged her. "Well it doesn't matter. You're free to use my voice any time."

"Y-you sure?" Nikku asked, still using your voice.

"'Course!"

"You should keep using Tess'. It suites you better." One of the prep cooks said.

Tess tapped your shoulder, as if asking you to speak up.

"I don't think that's a good idea." You say. "Tess' voice helps.. her control herself. It's confusing her."

"Whoa, that true, Tess?" They ask. She was behind you.

"Y-yeah. I can't work properly. I'm sorry. I'm flattered I just can-"

"Ah well, guess you'll have to use his voice then." The cook said to Nikku, referring to one of the others.

You excuse yourself from the conversation and go back to Tess.

"Thanks, (Y/N)." She said grateful.

"You really can't control yourself when she uses you voice?"

Tess shook her head. "It's hard. It's like hearing my voice over my own."

"Oh, well I guessed that. Good to know, uh."

She sighed. "I'm still not used to the whole atmosphere here. It's all so different from my own place." She added.

With S gone again and Displo still out, you figure it a good time to ask her about her diner. It had been at the back of your mind for days now.

"About that. What happened anyways?"

"Oh It's nothing. Just a, uh, grease fire." She said. "Well, I gotta back to work now. Nice chat-"

It was clear as day she was lying. Still bored, you decide to press on. "You know, before this job I was a detective. Specialized in investigations, 'specially foul play."

Her expression changed, a hint of betrayal briefly flashing across. "I-it was just a grease fire. Nothing serious."

"You can tell me. I have no problems keeping secrets."

"You wouldn't understand."

You decide to take a complete shot in the dark. "It has to do with a certain family doesn't it?" You say slyly.

"How do you-What do you know?" She said, surprised.

"Ha, figured. There's a reason I'm not a detective anymore. Long story short, has a lot to do with that group." You wonder if Displo had hired her to join the team. Though if Displo had intended to recruit her he would've said so. Maybe he was just being friendly? You think.

She says nothing, instead looking you up and down, still unsure of your trustworthiness.

"I bet you haven't filed a police report. Or if you did nothing's come out of it."

She sighed. "It's all so frustrating." She pulled up a chair at one of the empty tables. You take a seat across.

"I just wanted them to pay their tab." She put her notepad down and crossed her arms. "I don't discriminate. Never have. But that family had been racking up a large tab and never paid it. I finally put my foot down and...well the rest is history." She said.

"Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Least you stepped against them. That's more than a lot of people can say."

"I don't know. Their daughter is a friend of mine and she sometimes pays her tab but I didn't want it to always be a hassle."

"For what it is, I went against them too. Don't have the wounds to prove it anymore but I got pictures of a ransacked house if you want to see. They're the reason I'm here." You joked.

"Do you know about Displo? Like, really know about him?"

You guess she's referring to the IRIS situation.

"You mean his 'masters'?" You say, pointing to your eye, symbolizing IRIS. "I've worked with them a few times already."

Tess stretched her arms out. The morning was still fresh for her. "I don't have anything against them but I don't want to take sides like this or work with them. I've always wanted to be just independent. But they...er Displo, offered to help rebuild the diner. I just had to join them." She sighed.

To you it sounded like typical 'mob-protection' but on the other hand you couldn't see any other solution for her. Well, other than skipping town. Her situation was hopeless.

"It's tough. But Displo's been kind to me and the organization hasn't given me any issues."

"Displo's been great yeah. I don't have any complaints. I just find it eerie that they have so many people like that."

You guess she was referring to robots like Displo. You hadn't thought of it much but even during the original investigation they were shadowy.

"I don't want to just wake up and be told I have to kill something or capture someone. I could never do it." Tess said.

"You told Displo about this?"

Tess nodded. "He said it would never happen. He said they're goal for me is like what Displo does. Just another location. But he couldn't promise I'd never be sent on some mission."

"Well, we just make do with what we got. If you ever need something or feel uneasy, just talk to me."

"Thanks, (Y/N). That means a lot to me. Whenever I get my diner back, you'll be the second one there...after Displo of course." Tess smiled.

"Who built you anyways?"

"I can't say."

"Ah, sorry, nevermind then."

"It's not a personal thing, don't worry. I just. Can't. It's in my programming."

"Oh, huh?"

"But yeah, I'm not like Displo or that kid. We have different architectures...if you know what that means."

You had no idea. "So that girl, she can mimic anyone's voice?" You ask.

"Yep. It's insane how well she does it too. It was messing with my internal circuitry."

You look back. Nikku had moved on to chopping onions, still looking a bit lost but a tad more friendly.

"Oh crap! I got so caught up. I need to finish dusting the tables!" Tess got up.

"I won't keep ya. See ya."

Tess smiled and skated away, now in a hurry.

Still looking at Nikku's table your mind starts to drift on the heist. Having someone like Nikku would make the operation way easier. Maybe that's why she's here?

You wait around for a half-hour, just idling going through your phone, until Displo barges in through the front doors. You wonder if Displo's issue was related to the recent research.

So far this week had been some minor planning at Displo's working off whatever information about the compound and Family you could find online.

It looked as if he was panting, the display pattern on his face flickering. Shoulders hunched, he looked angry and out of breath.

It was such an entrance that the prep cooks went quiet as Displo arrived.

He walked right up to your table. "(Y/N). Call S and the both of you meet in the HQ now. Call whoever you can as a matter of fact." You knew that was impossible. Everyone had work today.

"Uh, got it. You..okay?"

"I'm fine."

He stomped over to Nikku's table.

"You three, keep doing what you're doing. Nikku. Follow me."

He pointed towards the meeting room.

"O-okay, sir."

You got up and followed, sending S a text to get by. You didn't see a point in messaging the rest. You knew Tabi was going to at least come by later so he'd show up then.

"Tess! Where are you?" He shouted.

"Right here sir!" She said, a hint of fear in her voice. This was the first time everyone had seen Displo so irate. She roller-bladed in from the kitchen, nearly tripping over her speed.

"You're acting manager for now. I have to deal with some business. I have no idea how long it will take. Can you manage it?"

"Of course!"

"Good. Everyone, if you need anything, ask Tess. I need complete isolation right now." He said and stormed off to the meeting room.

The cooks shot you a look of 'what was that' and you shrug. You had no idea what got Displo so riled. You instead just head to the meeting room.

You and Nikku took a seat, Nikku looking scared. S had just re-arrived but barely had any time to make any snarky remarks before Displo barged in carrying something.

"S here?"

"Yes I am!" He said proudly from your phone.

Displo moved one of the chairs at the table aside.

"Good. Here." Displo threw something onto the ground. It expanded into a large metal circle, a green hologram lighting up in the centre. It lit up, a small beam of light emitting from its centre, the word EMPTY appearing in 3D text. It was about a metre in diameter.

"Port into this will you?" Displo said.

"Sure." S said, unsure.

With his own powers, S ported into the new machine. It lit up briefly before displaying a life size hologram of S, appearing evil as usual. It made him appear as if he was floating, the machine the source of the projection. He looked around the room, seeing it for the first time in a more life-size view.

The machine was close enough to the table that S could make it appear as if he was sitting it.

"Whoa, this is pretty cool tin man." While it made him life-size it was still just a hologram. He found his hand went right through the table. It tinted him a bright blue as well. The blood that was regularly streaming down from his face looked more like water now.

He looked around in awe.

"It's the latest in IRIS tech." Displo said.

With no more introductions Displo sighed. "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

"You okay?"

"I'll get right to it. We've been issued a challenge. All cause of that blithering farm girl your friend recruited."

"Excuse me?" You say. "Slow down, what are you talking about."

"What kind of challenge?" S asked? "A speedrun? Cause I can do that. EASILY!"

"No. A pentest. Just like the one we did at HQ. Allow me to start."

"This morning, one of my fellow agents, Static and that girl were teleported into the restaurant." He said, pointing to Nikku. "Static explained to me that last night he was having a sleepover with Pomona when this girl crash-landed on her farm, having escaped from TGG's control. She was a fugitive and well known enough to them they sent a squad after her."

"Now I don't know exactly what happened next but that fiend, Updike showed up. There was a standoff and somehow Updike figured out that not only was Static an agent of ours, but Pomona was employed by us."

"He didn't admit it but I know full well Pomona must have told that weatherman."

"He knew of our team's existence too." Displo said gravely. "In addition he made several threats against Huggy, Pomona and Zardy and Amelia. After all, to him they are 'illogical creatures'. I suppose it could've been a spur of the moment thing. Or not. That ghoul is very jingoistic!"

"Anyways, screw him. The most alarming part of this is that he knew of our team's existence. I doubt anyone here is talking so I must assume Updike has some 'mole' in IRIS. That aside..." He looked around. "In the end, they somehow worked out a deal and Updike said to them he would share it with me."

Displo sat down, looking down too. He wasn't happy.

"Well he did, this morning in fact. Our team has been officially issued a request-for-comment on 'pentesting' The Greater Good's headquarters. They basically want us to break in, test their security."

S already had questions and was going to ask before Displo continued.

"This means two things. One. We'll need to determine if we want to answer this challenge. Two. IRIS now needs to figure out who let them know we have a team. Because they have a rat."

"What? There's a traitor on the team?" S questioned.

"No. It's someone at IRIS talking about the pentest. Probably some manager. That's the only logical way anyone would have heard. Updike and cronies know that we have a team. That's it."

"So they don't know about our 'endgame'?"

"No. Updike would have said something. Never mind that though!" Displo said, raising his voice. "What matters if that we've been challenged to pentest TGG's headquarters and if we do it."

"Do we have to respond?" You ask Displo. After your last interaction with them it didn't seem worth it.

"That's what we need to discuss. I was going to readily decline but there's a caveat."

"Alright. We got a wager? Let's hear it." S said enthusiastically.

"Updike knows we have been harbouring 'abominations'. He has said that if we decline he will go after us, take 'all of them'. He specified Huggy, Pomona and Zardy by name. He doesn't know about Tabi or Agoti but I believe he will include them too."

"What the hell? Can he do that?"

"He can certainly try. It would initiate a war and we would be exposed as 'harbouring the unknown'. It would be bad PR. They would likely disown us."

"This is bullshit." S spat.

"Ii-f I may, what do I have to with this?" Nikku asked. From her perspective, she had been awoken this morning and practically thrown into Displo's restaurant. She recalled little of the events last night.

She was using your voice.

"You have everything to do with it, dear. You see, (Y/N) and S. The additional caveat is that if we take this challenge and win, we get her. Additionally if we accept and lose they'll only take one abomination from us. Per equivalence."

"So we don't have a choice." You say.

"Not necessarily. Unless you think we can all go on the run."

"Can't we just kill that cloud guy?"

"I don't know." You say. This was frustrating.

"Though I admit losing one person is far better than the whole team." Displo said.

"Well then who's gotta go?" S asked.

"Huggy." You said immediately.

"Ehn. I don't care. I prefer being the only blue guy on the team anyways."

"Let's not discuss who would leave. I don't need to mention that losing Huggy would devastate Pomona and Kapi. Of course, returning her is also a possibility but I'm sure you two have seen her special ability." Displo said.

Though Nikku didn't say it, you could read it on her face. She was not happy being discussed as a negotiating piece. Though there was little she could do. The fact that Updike apparently could legally even do this was surprising. At least, would have been if you still were as innocent as before.

"I have. And it's a very good one too." You say.

S just looked at Nikku, trying to see what Displo and you were referring to. "What? What's her ability?" He said.

"M-my voice?" Nikku asked.

"I don't get it." S said. "I-is this some kind of bit?"

"You can't tell her voice sounds like (Y/N)'s?" Displo asked.

S squinted as Nikku, then you. "(Y/N), say somethin'"

"W-What should I say?"

"You, new girl. Say something."

"I, uh, think you should take the c-challenge. I'd like to be free." She said meekly.

S put a finger on his chin, trying to listen closely. "Yeah...I'm not hearing it. They sound completely different."

Now it was Displo's turn to be unsure. Though unseen, he raised an eyebrow, thinking maybe S was screwing with him. However, instead of grilling S on his hearing he moved on.

"Nevertheless, we need to come up with a response." Displo said.

You lean back in the chair. "Can he be trusted? I mean, he threatened our team. What's to stop him from capturing us during the test? You said it yourself, his organization deals with the paranormal. Most our team is paranormal. Plus he's a radical."

Thinking on it the most normal person on the team was Kapi. He was the only one without a traumatic past too. Just a regular guy.

"The contract stipulates that Nikku and her spaceship are the prize for the success of the operation. He states that no harm will come to any of the crew and that everyone is off limits during and after the operation."

"Spaceship? You're not from here? Huh, that's cool. I'm from space too y'know. What galaxy you from?" S asked, Nikku.

"I-I don't remember. All I know is my name." Nikku said.

"You sure he won't try anything?" You ask.

"I've read it over and had IRIS lawyers read it over. If they try to pull anything it would be a casus belli against them; Lawsuits, agents, litigation and a war. Updike nor any of his cronies would risk that."

"Didn't you just say they'd disown us if there was a war?" S asked.

"Using excessive force is a far more grave a crime than harbouring some abominations. My managers would just say that they believe using abominations in testing is good practice...or something like that." Displo said.

You understood. All it meant was that if Updike betrayed everyone you would still win.

"What do you think, Nikku?" You ask.

"I don't know. I'm not going back there. I won't let them take me." She said.

"Hmm. If you're absolutely sure he'll play by the rules then I don't see why not." You say to Displo. "Not much of a choice anyways. Would you be willing to join us if we do win, Nikku?"

She turned her head slightly, and played with her cherry hair. "I guess. What exactly is this team?"

"We're, uh, we test security." You say. You weren't sure if she could be fully trusted yet.

"Alright. At least until I can get my memory back."

"Yeah, about that, Displo, did the contract say anything about her memories?"

"It did not."

"Well, I guess if we can figure out where they're stored or how they were removed we can add it a bonus goal."

"I have a physician en route to look at Nikku. We shall see if her memories can be restored. But perhaps locating any documents relating to that will be a bonus goal. So am I to believe you are in favour, (Y/N)?"

"I am."

"I will be as well then. Mind you all, this is going to require much more practice than the last operation did." Displo said.

"S?"

"Yeah. Let's kill 'em. I'm down."

"Very well. That'll just leave the others. We'll discuss later."

"Pomona is part of the team right?" Nikku asked.

"Yeah." You said.

"She told me this morning she would help me get free."

"So that will leave Tabi, Agoti and Kapi." Displo said.

"We'll discuss with them tonight. And I'm gonna see Tabi at lunchtime so I'll ask him there." You say.

"That settles it then. We'll figure it out. I need to get in contact with Updike about some minor things in the contract but if we can pull this off, I think we'll be set for the main goal." Displo said, stress finally leaving him.

Nikku has joined the party!

Track 30 - Lunch Date

"T-thanks for the meal, (Y/N)."

Before the impromptu meeting could adjourn, there were two remaining topics. Where would Nikku be staying?

Though apparently Updike had forbade Nikku from staying in Displo's hands he managed to get access to an IRIS safe house nearby.

"It is mainly used for agents in transit. They will not bother you."

With that out of the way there was something gnawing at you.

"So who exactly is static? You're his uncle?"

"No. That's just how he likes to frame it. I don't have any siblings, nor he have any 'parents' in the nuclear sense. But it keeps him happy so I say nothing. I'm not sure his origins but he existed before he joined IRIS. He is just an agent in training."

"Where does he live?"

"Static lives and goes to school out of town. As annoying as it was I had to get him back to school. The only option I had was to use one of IRIS' helicopters." Displo said.

"You think we could borrow the copter?" You ask, brainstorming.

"Yeah! That sounds sick! Can we? Can we?" S asked.

Displo shook his head. "No. I don't have that kind of clearance. Even convincing the pilot to take Static and I cost a lot. Free lunch for a week." Displo said. "Of course, it caused quite a scene when we arrived but I see it nothing more as his fault. After all, teleporting into my restaurant unannounced? That's unacceptable."

You were also curious about how Nikku escaped in the first place but decide to ask that at the actual meeting later.

With the meeting adjourned you get back to your post and continue wasting time. Nikku, not really wanting to interact with the customers elected to stay in the meeting room with S, using the machines to find information as to who she really was and who "The Greater Good" really were.

With Tess on command, Displo choose to spend the morning working on legal issues surrounding the challenge.

That just left you to think for the rest of the day. Based on what you knew about The Greater Good this operation was going to be much harder. With Tabi coming later you figure you'll pick his brain.

He said he'd be in around 12, just after the restaurant opened. Looking forward to it you couldn't help but muse over the incoming lunch. More and more he was on your mind. At first you guess it just thoughts about the operation but as time passed and more time passed with him you found yourself wanting more.

The restaurant stood quiet and Displo MIA. Tess didn't mind you taking a break from 'security' either, encouraging it even.

Tabi showed up around 12, dressed in his work uniform. His outfit just consisted of his regular attire and a high-vis vest. The same one he had donned during Blindside.

He looked a little anxious, though wasn't hiding his appearance behind his hood this time. Just a rounded construction helmet on.

Behind him strolled in two burly men, one shorter than the other. Dressed in similar clothing they struck you as his co-workers.

You had already taken a seat and had Tess drop off two menus at an empty table. You wave Tabi over. He mutters something to his co-workers who say something jovially back. One of them gives Tabi a friendly slap on the back, muttering something like "Go get 'em!" They head off to a different empty table nearby.

You just smile as Tabi joins the table.

"Good morning-er-lunchtime, (Y/N)." Tabi said, stuttering. First impressions, he sounded nervous, though unclear if because of you or his appearance. "Right back at you."

"You look, uh, good today." Tabi said quietly.

"Thanks. You look good too. 'specially with the 'upgraded' hoodie." You respond.

"It's just my work uniform." He said. "-I just had it washed." He added quickly. He took off the vest and hung it on the back of the chair.

You notice a green stain on his snout. It looked to be a grass stain.

"You got something on your, er, snout. Here. Let me."

Tabi flinches a bit as you get up and reach for his snout but relaxes, closing his eyes. You rub the grass stain on his snout, smudging it away. His snout felt warm to the touch, heating up as you removed the stain. This was the first time really seeing him blush. Like the bones were a living organ they shined a slight redder than the bone white.

Just as you wiped it off, Tabi accidentally let out a quiet moan. Fast as lightning he eyes opened, the flames in them re-lit. His face turned a bright shade of red, embarrassed from the display. He quickly moved his face away.

"I-I-I, uhh..."

You decide not to say anything, let alone tease the guy further and just pretend you didn't notice anything. "All gone!"

"R-right." Tabi quickly pulled up the menu, burying his face in it.

Looking him over you weren't kidding when he looked good. His hoodie was in far better shape now, Pomona having patched it up. With the tears sewn and holes filled it looked stylish. It looked very lived-in but still in good shape.

To make matters more awkward Tabi's stomach growled. The goat-man was hungry. As it growled you briefly saw him tremble, no doubt being consumed by shame.

You couldn't help as your smile grew, amused at the awkward display and the amount of anxiety Tabi had over seemingly nothing. You recalled his stomach had growled a few times before but he'd never been this 'secretive' about it.

"Hungry, huh?"

"I..yeah." He said quietly.

"You okay man? You seem a little tense." You playfully push the menu down so you could see his face. You shoot him a friendly smile.

Tabi took a deep breath. "I'm okay. Just a little, uh, tired. Yeah."

You could tell he was lying but let him. No need to tease him, you think.

"Hey (Y/N)!" Someone said cheerily. It was Tess. Turning her attention to Tabi she extended her hand. "Hi! Name's Tess. I've seen you here before. One of Displo's friend's right?"

"Uh, yeah. Tabi. Nice to meet you." He said, returning the handshake. Just in the instant that Tess had arrived you see Tabi start to resume his serious attitude.

"Well, Displo's out for a bit so I'll be your waiter today. Can I start you two off with anything?"

"I'll have the garlic bread to start off. And water."

"I'll have water too. And, uh the soup of the day."

"That would be the Italian wedding soup. That alright?"

"U-uh, yeah." Tabi became flustered again.

"Alright. Just hang tight and I'll be back with your food." Tess said.

"Hey, Tess. You feeling better?" You ask.

"Much better thanks. I'm back in the groove. Gonna show Displo I can run this show!" She said happily, skating off.

"For Displo's underling she's nothing like him." Tabi remarked.

"Well, she's got her own issues going on. But she's been pretty good so far."

"What kind?" Tabi asked.

Not wanting to gossip much you keep it simple. "Let's just say she's had her own run-ins with someone we all know."

"Of course. Who doesn't. They have more enemies than grains of sands."

The drinks arrived momentarily. Tabi practically chugging down the glass immediately. You glance as the water disappears into his jacket somewhere, not paying too much attention, less you make him more self-conscious.

"Where is that tincan anyways?" He asks, relaxing now.

"He's out for a bit. There's big news tonight. Displo's just trying to work it out."

Being a Thursday at noon it still the restaurant wasn't too busy. There had been no IRIS groups showing up, though thinking on it you figure Displo would have cancelled whatever reservations were ongoing. Either way it wasn't too busy here. You idly wonder if that pilot was present at the moment.

"So you're a lumberjack?" You ask.

"I'm an arborist. We trim trees."

"Hm." Another drink of water.

"Sol got me the job. I just need the money. I'm not some treehugger."

"Well, we all gotta do something."

"It keeps me in shape at least...I think. I can't really tell." Tabi said, feeling one of his arms through the hoodie's fabric. "I just gotta share it with those jerks."

Tabi glanced over to the other table. His co-workers were watching intently. Not close enough to hear the conversation but enough to see expressions.

You glance over as well. There were two large glasses upon their table. Beer, an amber coloured liquid in big mugs, clearly present; despite it only being noon.

They gave the thumbs up to Tabi, silently mouthing "Go for it!" and "Make a move!"

Tabi just looked back and grumbled. "They're so annoying. I-I'm sorry about this."

"Ah, don't worry. I'm sure they don't mean any harm in it." You smile at him.

One of them blew a whistle towards you, causing Tabi to flinch and burn up. It didn't do much and Tabi still looked anxious and annoyed. He was thinking he'd like no more than to shut them up but knew it wasn't the time or place. His hand instinctively reached for his hunting knife.

You get a mischievous idea. One that would at least shut them up at worst, or at least be a friendly signal to back off. You flip through your wallet. Sure enough it was still there.

Your police badge. You hadn't got rid of it just in case you needed it. That and sentimental value. And who knows when you'd need it for intimidation.

"You guys are still on clock right?" You whisper.

"Yeah. Why?"

"No reason." Your grin gets wider.

You stand up, getting the attention of Tabi's co-workers. You flash your badge. "You guys aren't drinking on clock right?"

They both freeze, the blood draining from their faces was instant. Tabi looks back.

"N-no officer. It's just apple juice. Y-yeah!"

"Ah, I'm just screwin' with you guys. I ain't a cop anymore." You say back, practically laughing.

They both get a look of relief on their face, Tabi snickering as well.

One of them comments first. "Ah yeah, you're perfect for that bonehead."

You just smile back and sit down. They understood the message. Tabi smirks back at them.

"They're fine. Just like breaking balls."

"Yeah. Hehe." Tabi said quietly, but happily.

After a few more minutes the appetizers arrive.

"Two large slices of garlic bread and one Italian wedding soup!" Tess declared, placing both plates down. Steam was visibly emitting from both plates. The food had just finished being made.

"Any ideas for mains?" Tess said. It was a small different from how Displo would've said it. He would've asked for entrees.

"I'll just have the spaghetti and meatballs." You say, handing Tess the menu.

"Uh-huh, (Y/N). What do you think?" She asked Tabi,.

"The burger. Definitely the burger."

"I'll have that then."

"Right. I'll leave you two to it!" Tess said, taking the remaining menu and skating away.

In front of you sat a baguette, sliced horizontally, glistening with melted garlic butter, a sprinkle of dill atop with a few seared onions scattered about. Just the way you'd liked it. The menu had a tongue-in-cheek note about it being the perfect thing to ward off vampires with.

Tabi's soup was a traditional 'Italian wedding' soup. You'd never tried it but it did look good. A yellow-ish broth, complete with a mixture of leafy green vegetables such as kale and spinach. A few meatballs and bits of sausage were mixed in, complete with small noodles as well. Cheese had been finely grated over the top.

Tabi didn't know the meaning of the soup's name but damn did it look good. He dug in immediately.

There had been no bread given with the soup. "This is a lot for me. You want some of the bread?"

"I-I'm good. Don't worry about me."

You chuckle at him. "I insist."

"If you say so...Here. try the soup." He said, handing you an extra spoon. You try it. Salty, but with lots of flavour from the vegetables. It reminded you of ramen, just far more European.

Tabi tried the garlic bread, getting a big piece. He closes his eyes as he tries it.

"This is good. It reminds me of some dishes back home. Hmm. Needs some herring."

"Herring, like, like the fish?"

"Yea. Pickled. In wine. It's much better than you think I swear."

"I'll hold you to it later then." You say.

Tabi's co-workers had largely stopped paying attention to you and him, instead focusing on their own food. It was their first time at this restaurant, and their boss had pretty much told them they could use his card to pay for the food. Of course it also meant Tabi intended to pay for you but he knew he'd take the fall for whatever.

Though he didn't like them much it was their misunderstanding that Tabi had a significant other when he mentioned you. They had goaded him into the 'date', though as he thought on it now, was glad he asked you.

When he told his co-workers there was some teasing but in the end they agreed to back Tabi, stating they would say the three of them just had a big meal.

There was a modicum of respect, even if Tabi didn't feel it.

"Mhhm." You mumble as you eat the garlic bread. A savoury but sweet taste that came from the grilled onions. "We have a new team member, Nikku. Joined just this morning actually."

"Oh yeah, what's his story?"

"Her. She's an alien I think. Doesn't have a voice so she just impersonates others. She was using Tess' voice last I spoke with her. Oh, and she's an amnesiac. Least, it seems like her memories were taken away."

"Humph. Well she better not steal my voice. How'd she even join?"

"Bit of a long story but she's on the run from an organization like ours. TGG. Ever heard of them?"

Tabi's expression changed to a more thoughtful one. "I know 'em. The Greater Good."

He took another spoonful of soup, a few drops landing back in the bowl.

"When I was tracking that blue-haired moron, he ran into someone running from them. Guy looked terrified too. They've never gone after me but they wouldn't survive if they did." Tabi said coldly. "So she can impersonate voices. That's really good. I know they have voice activated doors in the compound. She'll make it trivial to get past. Where's she staying then?"

"Displo has a place. For what it is, TGG knows where she is. They're gonna let us have her if we can pentest their HQ and win." You say, neglecting to mention the 'losing scenario'.

"Humph. Figured they'd be a catch."

"You think we can do it?"

"Maybe, But I can't see how I would be one of the main people. Agoti and that blue guy too. We'd stand right out."

"Huggy?" You ask.

"Yea. But having her on the team would make things easier. I think we should go for it."

"We'll be talking about it tonight."

The kitchen was blazing fast today. Though Tess' quick and informal style was different from Displo's professional and courteous style, they had adapted perfectly. The mains came out momentarily, just as the conversation relaxed.

A large plate of spaghetti and meatballs, sauce vodka style, two large meatballs in the centre, a small helping of bacon bits and shredded cheese forming a layer on the top. The noodles were surrounding the meatballs so as to present them as the main piece of the dish.

The burger was a large, double-patty burger, melted cheese atop, combined with long strips of pickles, raw crunchy red onions, a garlic aioli, ketchup and all under perfectly toasted pretzel bun.

It was a huge step up from the regular fast food burgers he'd eaten before.

Suffice to say, the conversation ceased, both you and Tabi digging deep into your food. You had even cut off pieces of each main to give to the other, just to try out.

At the end of the meal, Tabi was content, looking half asleep in the chair as he stared at you. You and he were both sitting back in your chairs, chilled out.

The bill had been paid. Though you offered to split it, Tabi insisted on covering it himself. He refused to let you even pay, swiping your bill when Tess came back.

Tabi patted his stomach. It had been a good meal.

You notice that on Tabi's snout was a small ketchup stain he no doubt missed. It looked a bit like blood.

You lean in. "Here, you missed a spot. Got some ketchup on your nose, er, jaw." You jest. You pick up a napkin.

"Oh, can you get it?" He asked, blissful.

He leaned in. But instead of cleaning it with a napkin you lean in and kiss it, taking the stain away. Unconsciously he leaned in a little closer.

The blush replaced the red of the ketchup instantly. As you lean back you found that despite having a head made of pure bone, he could still blush. Not just his cheek this time, but the whole face turned a light shade of pink.

"T-t-thanks, (Y-(Y/N)." He said, barely able to make a proper sentence. The flames in his eyes tinted a slight pink too.

"Anytime~" You say back coyly.

He just leaned in again, flaming eyes looking deep into you. Resting his head on his arms, he starred deeply. You look back, smile wide on your face.

The moment didn't last long as one of the co-workers, oblivious to the moment coughed loudly. "Alright, boy. We gotta get going! Already wasted too much time here." The co-worker said. "Great place though. We'll be back." The other co-worker said as if he were announcing it to the rest of the guests.

Tabi snapped out of it instantly, "R-right! Y-yeah. He stood up."

His eyes quickly reverted back to the colour of the sun as he stood up. "T-thanks for the meal, (Y/N)." He said quietly.

"No thank you. You paid for it after all." You let out a laugh. "I had a good time. See you tonight?"

"Definitely." Tabi said, with far more emotion than he'd displayed up until that point.

You wave as he departs with the co-workers, an obvious skip added to his step.

Inside you felt butterflies in your stomach. Mostly off an 'I-can't-believe-I-actually-did-that' feeling. Just attempting that move made you feel invincible. There was no buts about it. Slowly but surely you had felt more and more attracted to him. It was pointless putting it into words exactly what. You knew it deep down.

It was love, plain and simple.

You let out a sigh of relief, fully letting the emotions take over. Your staring didn't last long before Tess asked if you could help with some unruly customer.

Ah well, back to work.

Track 31 - Challenge Accepted

"We don't really have a choice so whatever. Sure. Stupid family can wait I guess.

Displo returned hours later, claiming he, along with several IRIS lawyers audited the contract and made sure Updike wasn't pulling any tricks. He was clean.

Satisfied with how Tess was running things he retired to the meeting room, claiming he needed a recharge. "I'll spare you the arduous legal details, (Y/N) but it's all sorted. Updike means business."

With the final customers trickling out and Tess closing up shop it was just you and her left. With the evening crew arriving Tess was busy getting the bar set up.

"We served alcohol back at my diner but never a full-on bar." Tess remarked. "(Y/N), you wouldn't be able to bar tend would you? Or at least show me how?" Tess asked. She looked at the cocktail shaker, unsure if it was meant for patrons or not.

You shake your head. "No idea. I just drink straight up, no fancy drinks or nothing. Lemme go check with Displo." You say and get up.

The meeting room was as it always had been table in the centre, few dressers of plates on the walls. Nikku and S were nowhere to be found, leaving the room empty. His hologram emitter had vanished too, an empty space where it had been. There were a few scattered plates on the table, dirty with food scraps. You thought the room empty until you hear the slight hum of a CRT.

In the far corner of the room was a cot, atop laying Displo. He looked to be asleep; at least he did until he turned his head to you. There was a wire connecting from the back of his head to the outlet bedside.

"Ah, (Y/N). How are you?" Displo said quietly. He slowly sat up, supported by one of his arms.

"Fine...You alright?"

"Yes. I am just charging. How is Tess?"

"Bit confused on how to run the bar but otherwise fine. You think you could, like transfer some knowledge of that to her or something?" You guess, trying to act smart.

Displo chuckled. "We aren't compatible like that." He said calmly. "Tell Tess, to find Tuttle in the kitchen. He's been pushing to try bartending for some time. Tell her to put him on the frontline."

"Got it. Say...where are S and Nikku?"

"They went out for some fresh air sometime ago. I'm sure they're close. Now, if you don't mind I'm almost at a full charge. I should be ready before the meeting." His voice had a wine to it, giving him a very sleepy sound.

"Sure, no problem."

You leave Displo alone. He seemed really out of it, a quirk of his charging. You inform Tess of the switch which she gladly does. You also shoot S a text, asking him his location.

Instead of a reply you get a photo back. It was a selfie of him still as a hologram and Nikku. She wore a bandana over her mouth and held a spray paint can. In the background on a brick wall was TGG's logo with an X symbol painted over it. With her other hand she threw up the peace sign.

"We're doing evil stuff out here!" The caption read. You respond to stay out of trouble and to come back in time for the meeting.

The rest of the shift went by without any note. Nikku and S did return, though with a police escort and the hologram ring almost confiscated. The cops recognized you, preferring to then let Nikku off with a warning. Displo also provided each officer with some free dinner, something they gladly took, leaving Nikku in your care. Displo was understandably upset, currently disciplining the duo in the meeting room.

With spring in full swing and summer approaching plenty of light remained outside. Everything had been tinted a slight blue but visibility outside was fine.

Fine enough that you saw Tabi and Agoti pull in.

Agoti had the biggest shit-eating grin and Tabi looked happy as well. You smile as they enter the restaurant, telling the intercepting waiter they're here to see you.

It was the first time you'd seen Tabi arrive not looking miserable or having a stoic look on his face.

"Evening, gents."

"Fine one to you too, pal." Agoti said, grinning. He always had that mischievous smile, though you couldn't tell if it was malice or just general friendliness he was displaying.

"Hey." Tabi said, quickly resuming his shadowy appearance.

"DP and co are in the room already?" Agoti asked.

"Yep. Tabi inform you about the 'challenge'?'"

"Not really. Guy's been kind of quiet actually." He said slyly. You assume that also meant he hadn't spoken to him about lunch, though judging by Agoti's smile you couldn't tell.

"I have a lot on my mind." Tabi grumbled.

You glance over to Tabi who looks away, a small blush slowly forming. A small smile flashes on his face.

"Alright, well Displo will explain what happened."

You lead the two to the meeting room.

Everyone else had arrived. Pomona and Huggy had teleported in and Kapi had come through the back entrance. Huggy's appearance had changed, now wearing a harness around his midsection. It had a bell on it, ringing as Huggy moved.

Nikku looked out of place but stayed near S' hologram. It was the closest thing to a familiar she had to far. Even moreso than Pompom.

Nobody seemed to be too interested in S' new hologram, just immediately accepting it and moving on. Huggy emitted a guttural screech upon seeing you and hobbled over to give you a hug, the action causing both Tabi and Agoti to flinch. Judging by the detergent scent, Pompom must've washed him before coming over.

After a few seconds he put you back down.

"Ahem. Introductions aside I would like to start this. I expect this to be a heavy meeting." Displo said, interrupting the usual 'hellos' and 'how are you doings'.

Everyone took a seat as Displo turned on TURINGS. A hologram of the TGG logo appeared in the centre.

"What's that?" Kapi asked.

"I'll get to that. Allow me to begin." Displo began as the lights dimmed.

"Last night there a confrontation occurred between some members of our team, a fellow IRIS agent and a certain anti-paranormal organization some of you may be familiar with. Long story short they are aware of our teams existence and information about Blindside. How exactly they got this information is still under investigation and does not concern the team."

An extremely simplified hologram played what you presume was 'last night's confrontation'. It showed very simple designs of everyone in Pomona's family and Static.

S had ported into it as well, watching. But before he could do anything, Displo physically flicked him away. "Please be serious about this."

"The organization in question is a well-known security and medical research company known as The Greater Good. Can I presume everyone here has heard of it?"

Everyone nodded to varying degrees. Kapi did not know who they were.

"Simply put they are an organization with identical goals to mine." Displo said. "However, the whole 'medical/security' facade they put on is just for show. These people are an anti-paranormal and 'anti-nominal' group who specialize in the capture and study of 'nominal' creatures as they call it. Beings like Huggy and S. They call them abominations. Though I'm sure they would be interested in you and you as well." Displo said, pointing out Tabi and Agoti.

"Aren't they just like you guys?" Agoti said.

"In terms of mission statements yes we have similar goals. However TGG tends to lean far more radical than we do. For one they are very 'Earth-centric', i.e. anti-alien as well. We have no such positions on non-earth-people." Displo said. "They are also lead by a trio of 'abominations' themselves. At least, that is how I describe them. Updike, the cloud-looking man and Sterling, the one with the helmet are two of the three you met last night." Displo said to Pompom.

Anyways. Our newest member here is an escapee from this corp. I'd like you to meet Nikku Morioka, an alien. She was the subject of last night's little showdown."

"H-hi." She said meekly. She had taken to using Tess' voice, finding it more suitable.

"As per this confrontation the company issued us a challenge. If we can break into their headquarters and beat their security they will give us Nikku. Everyone will be paid of course too." Displo paused.

"That it?"

"Not exactly. They have also issued us a threat should we refuse. That if we decline such a challenge they will personally go after all of us; as well as my people for 'harbouring abominations'."

"What the hell?" Agoti asked. "Can we take them?"

"We'd be fighting an entire organization on our own. I don't think we could pull it off." You add.

"So we don't have a choice then." Tabi spat.

"Not necessarily no. The brightside is that if we take their challenge and lose they will only take one of our members." Displo said grimly.

Everyone looked around at each other, a look of 'it's-not-gonna-be-me'.

"What did you do last night?" Tabi asked Pompom, a little annoyed.

"They are in the belief that we kidnapped Nikku." Displo added.

"But that's not what happened!" Pompom spoke up.

"I am aware of that but they do not seem to care. And based on what I know of that fiend they would have gone after you and your family even if you did give up Nikku. There was no leeway."

"Great. So our 'big plan' is on hold cause some suit thinks we aren't normal." Tabi said.

"Yeah, I don't know about this. If they went after me my dad would fight back and well..it wouldn't be pretty." Agoti added.

"Why did you even help her?" Tabi asked.

"I had to! You would have done the same thing." Pompom said.

"No I-"

"Enough. I would not recommend discounting Nikku from the team entirely." Displo said sternly. "You see, she possesses an ability that one may give us an edge. More on that later. Will you three consent to this challenge?"

"We don't really have a choice so whatever. Sure. Stupid family can wait I guess." Tabi said.

"Could be good practice. We won't, but if we do lose I'll go. My dad'll raise hell once he finds out what they've done. Ehn, let's do it." Agoti said.

"You sure they can be trusted?" Kapi said.

"I spent the latter part of the day working that out with them. For now all squads active will ignore everyone here, so long as they aren't making a scene. In a condescending way they did state that if Huggy were to go through the front doors they would arrest him but that's within reason. Our strategy won't be so idiotic. While they won't ever go after citizens they won't hesitate for other creatures."

"I..uh don't mean to be rude but-uh, is Nikku trustworthy – like no offence, sure she's okay?" Kapi and Agoti asked.

"I have nowher-" Nikku started to say but was cut off. "Of course she's good! I saved her last night. They were going to kidnap her!" Pomona cut in.

"Whoa, calm down. I don't mean that. It's just like, what can you do?" Agoti said, not trying to cause a fight.

"What can she do-" Pompom had started to say but was stopped by Displo.

"Nikku will be an excellent addition to the team. Nikku, if you please, show Agoti what can do."

Nikku sighed. She had been kind of strung along the past 48 hours, meeting all sorts of people and having to answer all sorts of questions. Displo had promised her earlier he would try to explain everything but so far he hadn't. From what she understood there was some team she was now part of.

She at least knew what Displo meant.

"I can do this." Nikku said in Agoti's voice. "Or this with my voice." She said in Tabi's voice.

Agoti's smile merely widened. "Whoa, that's sick. Welcome aboard then." He said and nudged Nikku.

"T-thanks."

"So we are all in favour then, hm?"

There were no objections.

"I'm not going head in this time. I know how those people work. They'd recognize me instantly." Tabi said. His head was down, hat concealing his face. It looked as if he was sleeping but was merely deep in thought.

"Understood."

"We'll figure that out. This is gonna be harder though. We won't have the element of floor plans and heads up beforehand like we did in Blindside. We'll have to do our own reconnaissance." You say.

Agoti smirked. "Yeah, sure. I'm down for some recon. If this is gonna be anything like the last op, it'll be fun. How did it turn out for those guards anyways?"

"A lot of people got written up and suspended for falling for such an obvious lead-away. But alas, back to the subject at hand."

Huggy, despite not fully understanding the question was in agreement. He would go wherever you or Pomona went.

"Here are our objectives."

A hologram of the TGG building appeared. A skyscraper in the downtown core. Around it a few buildings lit up.

"The skyscraper here is the main building. It is called the Citadel. Through a shell company they own the 4 buildings surrounding it due all cardinal directions. Through IRIS' intel we don't know fully what they all contain but know at least one of them to be an apartment for employees. Additionally, they all surveil all surrounding streets. This will make escape much harder." Displo explained.

The building stood at at whooping 13 floors. The building wasn't a straight rectangle either. It had some floors jut out into balconies. Atop those roofs it appeared to have either solar panels or gardens. The building had a very modern design, in stark contrast the dull office buildings nearby.

Two question marks appeared on the building. One moved to the top while the other stayed in the middle.

"We have two targets. The first is getting someone into the 'throne room', 13F." The mark on the top lit up. "This is Updike's personal office. He has said that if that could be breached he would consider the operation a success. It is located on the top floor."

The other mark lit up.

"The other, or alternative goal is to reach what Updike described as the Pontifex Room. It is apparently a special area located somewhere in the building containing many of the artifacts and tools the company has seized. Unfortunately neither I nor IRIS even knew of this room's existence until today so we have no idea it's location."

"Bet I could find out." S suggested. "Can't be that hard."

"Perhaps. Recon will be the first step. Aside from S' own hacking, would anyone like to go toni-"

"Agoti and I will." Tabi said, taking charge.

Agoti didn't have a chance to object before Displo spoke again.

"Very well. As you can see we have a bit of info already. However any weaknesses, entry ways, and secrets still need to be found. This operation must be conducted very differently from Blindside. We won't be able to waltz in from the front; at least most of us won't be able."

Agoti looked at Tabi who just nodded at him. A silent thanks. He figured he wanted to talk more about today.

"Well then. That should conclude that aspect. Anyone have any other ideas."

"Do their guards communicate the same way as yours?" You ask.

"It's possible. We chose to broadcast via radio instead of VoIP. What are you thinking?"

"I could probably get a police radio or something; tap into their own communications. If it's radio."

"Someone will need to find out."

"Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!"

"Very well."

"I'll go ahead and get a radio then."

"Just to be clear, these guys aren't with the family right?" Tabi asked.

"No. TGG have their own crusades against them. The Greater Good is probably one of the most anti-demonic organizations out there."

"That's good to hear at least."

"Well. I don't much else to discuss tonight. Once we have more intel we can figure out plans. Anyone have anything to ask?"

"Oh, I do!" Pompom spoke up.

"What is it?"

"Can we call the operation something? Something cool? Like a codename." She asked.

"I..I don't know yet. That's not something I've considered." Displo said.

"Well, how what about Earthquake?"

"I don't understand. The building is specifically designed to be able to withstand earthquakes."

"Well cause we're gonna shake things up!" Pompom declared.

"Uh...Very well. Operation Earthquake then. I believe that concludes this meeting."

Everyone was shortly dismissed. Pompom teleported back to her home, satisfied she helped. It was your turn to take care of Huggy so taking him home was your current mission. Tabi and Agoti left before, getting ready to do some recon. Kapi and S made their way back to the arcade, ready for another rematch.

With finally everyone gone it was just Displo and Nikku in the quiet restaurant. The lights had been dimmed off, Displo wiping down a few tables that had been missed. He had dismissed Tess earlier as well, thanking her profusely for managing the restaurant for the day. Nikku sat at one of the tables, watching Displo carefully.

"I realize you must be confused and for that I am sorry. However, I wished to explain the situation earlier before you ran off with the 'creature'." Displo said. He was making sure menus and plates were in the right spots.

"I-I'm sorry. It won't happen again." Nikku said.

"It is fine. I am sympathetic to what you've been through and I know you have questions. Ask away."

"What exactly is all this?"

For the next hour, even on the ride to the safehouse, Displo gave Nikku a rundown of events. First he made sure she had no knowledge of the Family. Once confirmed he filled her in on everything.

It was a plain place, mostly used as a one-off place for IRIS agents to stay. The room had the bare necessities. A bed, a dresser, a nightstand and lamp. There was a window overlooking a river. Officially the building was just some rundown apartment, no clear indication IRIS owned it.

After arriving at the safehouse Displo finished his speel.

"So that's it. I'm part of a group of mercenaries?"

"In a way yes. But I think you will find the accommodations much more suitable and than your previous stay."

"D-do I have a choice?"

"Yes. You could go back to TGG if you so please. But if you do try to run, be aware that both my people and TGG will be after you."

Nikku grumbled. "Just another prison."

"My dear, I assure that you will flourish much better under IRIS command than TGG. You aren't a prisoner. If there's anything I do to help your stay, do inform me."

"Where's my spaceship?"

Displo sighed, figuring she was already thinking about escaping. "Destroyed. We have people looking at it, why; is there something about it we should know?"

"N-no. There was a picture of it, me and some other people. Could you...could you get it? I-I don't know who they are but it makes me feel better."

"Sure. You will have it by tomorrow."

"Thanks." Displo nodded and stepped out of the room. Just before he could leave, Nikku spoke.

"There were other people there. Other prisoners. What about them? It's not right."

"Alas, what they do with they're, how should I say, property is their call. That's what they do."

Displo understood how dehumanizing those words were but knew not another way to say it. For him it was just business. He knew of similar instances of 'IRIS prisoners' but he didn't know the full context behind them; if they deserved it or not.

"But we're supposed to break in. Can't we save them too?" Nikku asked innocently.

The comment, though dripping with innocence, gave Displo an idea.

He looked over his shoulder. "A prison break you say? That's interesting. Think about it for tomorrow. It's certainly within the cards."

"O-okay."

"Have a good night, Nikku. Welcome to the party." Displo said before shutting the door and returning back to his restaurant.

Track 32 - A Night on the City

"I'm listening, man, honest."

Now Playing...

Artist: Frank Wyatt

Song: The Crystal Heart

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmsmuLEMvkc

"Collect any imperfections, weaknesses or oddities of the place." Displo had said.

Driving in the late night, streetlamps lit the sights. They were in a very corporate area, the only groups around were of executives wrapping up 12 hour days. Being a Thursday night there wasn't much in the way of other cars and pedestrians.

It wasn't like Tabi or Agoti were worried about getting arrested or identified either. Tabi was worried, but of something unrelated to capture. Neither feared The Greater Good.

He had repeated the events of the last few hours over and over again, thinking what he could have done differently. He had went to Agoti's unannounced, wanting to talk. However, Sol's presence quickly made him harden his heart, returning to his ominous persona.

Agoti could easily tell he was flustered, no doubt Sol also picking up on it.

Sol ended up making some comment about how he'd changed. Tabi just ignored it, more empty platitudes. To satiate their curiosities he made up some excuse. That workmen were teasing him again, making up another excuse that he almost got in a fight, that the job wasn't for him, etc.

He directed anger towards everything than what he initially wanted to speak about. But, despite his misdirection, he did doing a terrible job of concealing the origin of anxiety.

Agoti could tell something more was up, saw right through the lie. The way Tabi had been flustered, stumbling over his words and getting irrationally angry made it more than obvious to him. Agoti knew how his he acted. He wondered how Sol thought it, Even if Sol picked up on the lie all he just uttered a simple "I understand." and "I'll see what I can do about it."

And the conversation concluded with Agoti they went to the meeting, Tabi kept silent in the car. During the meeting he felt normalcy return but once he was alone again, his thoughts got louder.

Tabi sat in the passenger seat, looking out, trying to think things out.

Agoti, unbeknownst to the goat man had his mind filled of completely different things. He listened to music on the radio and focused on driving. Nary a thought about the earlier conversation. At least, not know. He knew Tabi well enough that if something was going on he'd talk about it. Sure he hid his feelings all the time, but not something like this. Tabi had been blunt about it one time. 'If I cannot solve it myself I'll ask you.'

"Alright. We're 'bout as close as DP said. You ready?" Agoti pulled to a stop.

Tabi didn't respond, lost deep in his thoughts.

"Hey, knucklehead." Agoti said, poking Tabi. "You there?"

"Oh, um. Yeah. Let's go."

They both stepped out. Agoti had parked several buildings away. The plan was to get close without being detected and scope from the rooftops. They had stopped by Agoti's place earlier to get some minor climbing equipment, though both knew they were more than capable.

The building stood located in a dense area, with buildings so close you could throw a clothesline across. Agoti looked at the piles of ropes and grapples in the trunk. "Yo, we even gonna need this?"

Tabi, didn't look. "No. I already said it's a waste of time." Despite it being spring it was chilly enough that both could see their breaths.

They had parked in a low-key area, an above-ground lot in the shadow of the one grocery store in the area. Little foot-traffic around, the store's business had concluded for the day.

"Ehn, whatever." He grabbed one of the grapple ropes, moreso to have something to wield rather than jump. It tied easily around his belt.

The two staked out a way up. It didn't take long to find an entrance.

Between the buildings were dark alleys, barely lit. All private property and not for public walk they contained many things for getting up.

One particular building, an office complex was one such with a dark alley. The light from the streetlamps lit it barely. And in this alley, a fire escape ladder with a walkway to the top.

The buildings due closest to TGG were not as tall as it, the nearest one a skyscraper several buildings out. And while the buildings around it rose to different heights like an uneven tetriss board, this office provided a perfect starting ground to jump to the next.

With the density of them all, jumping across from rooftop to rooftop wouldn't be much of a challenge.

A quick check of security cameras ensured they wouldn't get spotted. With the correct placement of a trash can and some crates, Agoti was able to jump up to the railing and pull himself up. A quick pull later Tabi got up too.

Now all it took was to climb the fire escape up and reach the roof. For now, there the matter of keeping quiet, though both could see these places were barren for the night. Every few rooms they spotted a flashlight lurking deep in the building, but none going close to the windows.

Judging from the sights down they were about 4 stories up now.

Whatever guards were skulking about were not seen. And even if they were, both had come to the same conclusion that there wasn't much they could be caught with. We were just exploring! would be the cry they would say. That is, if their appearances didn't dissuade any from approaching.

Approaching the roof the two climbed the metal stairs. Tabi had become enamoured in his thoughts again, moving on autopilot. It wasn't good enough as he missed a step, nearly tumbling over. He caught himself on the railing, preventing a fall.

"You sure you alright man? S'like you're in dreamland." Agoti said. He held a hand out to help Tabi. Tabi sighed, accepting it.

"Can I talk to you?"

There it was. Agoti thought, his smile immediately appearing. But while Agoti meant it as genuine curiosity, to Tabi, he saw malice.

"Nevermind." Tabi glanced away and pushed past Agoti.

"H-hey. What's wrong?" Agoti said, smile quickly disappearing.

"I don't need any of your shit-eating advice." Tabi spat.

Agoti grabbed Tabi's hood. "Easy man. I'm on your side y'know."

Tabi brushed off Agoti's arm and turned to face him, eyes gleaming.

"You promise that you won't tell anyone about this, especially not (Y/N). No wise cracks either." Tabi said sternly.

"You got my word." Agoti said, doing a zipper motion where his lips were.

Tabi sighed again, now fumbling with his hoodie pocket. If there was one thing with Agoti it's that Tabi could never read him.

"Cut the crap." Tabi said. He wanted to be sure. He wanted Agoti to not just treat this as some 'bit'.

"I'm listening, man, honest."

"Alright." Tabi took a deep breath. He tried to speak but had having trouble finding the right words. "You wanna tell me what went down? Cause you've barely been yourself today." Agoti asked.

"I will." He said solemnly. Tabi's eyes turned to a white fire. Agoti knew that whatever was on his chest weighed heavily.

He had only seen Tabi appear like this once before. That night he got turned into his current form. Agoti remembered it too well. A phone call with a barely coherent Tabi, freaking out, unable to figure out how to make his new 'mouth' move, panicking and crying. It was a night Tabi that he still had nightmares of and one that Agoti still remembered vividly.

His eyes eventually turned yellow as he grew to accept what he'd become, hatred burning his heart and eyes.

But right now, he had been barring his soul.

He stepped down and walked to the railing, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He looked out to the city ahead.

There was nothing but a seemingly endless canvas of buildings, tops of which looking like uneven teeth on the horizon.

Agoti stood against the wall of the office, waiting for Tabi to speak. He had almost made a comment about how Tabi quick smoking but stopped himself. Be serious, he thought.

"It's about (Y/N)."

"Well?"

"Well I like 'em. A lot."

"Okay...? I know that. You guys are good friends.

Taking another puff, Tabi let out a small cloud of smoke. "Let's go." He started walking up the stairs, going past Agoti.

"I really like 'em. I mean, we went on a...lunch date..and I want to make it official." Though more challenging that written, Tabi tried to give a summary of the date including the kiss. It was a struggle in itself to keep his composure.

The two 'vagabonds' reached the roof and Tabi looked back to Agoti after spilling his thoughts out. He was expecting a ribbing, maybe a mischievous smirk. However, instead, Agoti look at him confused.

"Wait? That's it?"

"Yeah?"

"Damn you've really changed." Agoti chuckled. "Shoot I thought you two were already a thing. (Y/N) is all you talk about now, pretty much."

Tabi's look of confidement started to turn skeptical, annoyance seeping in.

Agoti threw his hands up. "Don't get me wrong. I mean-you're talking way more. It's just like weeks ago I could barely speak to you unless it's about hunting Boyfriend. I got no problem with it."

Tabi was ready to snap at him but stopped. As he reflected on it he had changed.

"Go for it man. (Y/N)'s cool. Hell, this whole team has been a blast."

It didn't take long for the old Tabi come right out. He looked away, his eyes returning to their normal shade of yellow. "I'm not abandoning this mission. I'm not forgiving what they've done. This isn't some excuse to get with (Y/N)."

"Sheesh man. I'm still on your side. I haven't forgotten what they've done to us. I still get nightmares occasionally."

Tabi considered making a remark that his own 'trauma' was worse but decided against it.

"I've got your back man." Agoti said. "-So anyways, just tell (Y/N). It's pretty much official that you two are a couple. 'Least that's who I figured it."

"Does Sol know?" He asked quietly. He looked out to the buildings in front, aimlessly.

"I don't know. Doubt he be surprised though. Dad said earlier that you've changed for the better."

Tabi tossed the spent cigarette, crushing it under his sneaker.

"I don't know. I just don't want to make things awkward. What if (Y/N) doesn't see it that way."

"K, now you're second guessing yourself man. Ehn, better to just say it now then delay things." Agoti said. Agoti wanted to make a point to ask if he believed you were earnest, a thought reminding him of Tabi's last relationship and where that got him.

As he tried to find the words, Tabi replied for him.

"I've already looked into (Y/N), several times. Not just that one time with Sol. (Y/N) is the real deal."

"Well, then the only option you got now is to confess."

Now Playing...

Artist: Dereck Higgins

Song: Lined Up

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oHwlHJmg2w

Tabi blinked, seeing something a few buildings over. Agoti didn't notice anything. It was a hulking figure standing, looking around. They appeared tall even from where Tabi and Agoti stood.

"Thought you kicked cigarettes."

"I did. I just. I couldn't think straight. Don't tell Sol." Tabi continued staring at the figure, trying to make out who it was. They looked...familiar somehow.

"Hah, of all the things I thought this year, I didn't think you'd turn into a hopeless romantic." Agoti joked, sticking his tongue out.

Then the stranger stopped and turned. Tabi grabbed Agoti and threw him against the wall of the rooftop entrance. It got them out of sight, but left Agoti confused.

"Easy man! I'm just joking."

Tabi glared at Tabi and put a single finger in front of his mouth. "Be quiet." Is what he said physically.

He let Agoti go and looked behind the wall. The stranger was gone.

Making sure it was safe, Tabi looked around. No sign of anyone else amongst the rooftops. "I think we're being followed." Tabi said quietly.

Agoti peered over Tabi, seeing nothing in the distance. "You sure?"

"Enough of this. Let's get moving." Tabi said, starting to walk to the edge. He could see the target in the distance. It stood far higher than the other buildings.

"You don't think it's 'them' do you?"

"No."

Tabi ran and jumped across the gap, easily clearing it. As he waited for Agoti he scanned the area. No sight of anyone around. Maybe I was just imagining things, Tabi thought.

"You sure you saw something?"

"I'm not sure. Let's just finish this. C'mon." Tabi took charge, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. They moved too fast for any guards to spot them, let alone care.

Tabi always had an instinct of when someone was watching him but this time he didn't feel anyone other than Agoti. Maybe it just is my imagination. Tabi pondered.

The complex was within sight. A monstrous skyscraper shooting into the sky amongst smaller ones.

Only a few more jumps to reach the nearest structure to it. Based on the intel they had, the surrounding buildings were all TGG-owned. Security past this jump would be heightened. "A low-profile is essential here," is what Displo had said.

They could see ahead someone atop the nearby building with a flashlight. Likely one of the guards.

"Any ideas?"

"It's one just one guard. Let's just take them out." Tabi said coldly.

"Let's go around?"

"Let's wait, maybe they're just looking around."

Tabi ducked down behind the edge of the building's rail, Agoti doing so as well.

The property they sat upon was an apartment complex. It was evident from a few clotheslines on the roof, additionally connecting satellite antennae.

Since the guard searched a distance away Tabi and Agoti got up and looked around. The guard would not care about some people atop a nearby roof.

Even more evidence people lived were were the lawn chairs scattered around a tire. There was nothing but ash in the tire, a metal plate under it all. It looked like the dingiest camp site both crew members had ever seen. Moving the chairs around they took seats looking up at the impressive building in the near distance.

It stood many stories high, a skyscraper in the upmost definition of the word. From far away it looked ominous, but up closer it appeared far more foreboding. The lights were off in the whole tower except the top which had it's lights on full blast.

It would've appeared like a lighthouse but there were small red lights all over the building. Some blinked slowly too.

Agoti's eyes narrowed on one part. About halfway up the tower were glass windows like the rest. However as he looked into the windows he saw not the dark insides but a reflection of the sky. It was as if the glass on that floor was fake. Strange place, Agoti thought. It looked artificial.

With how much fervour Displo had described these guys coupled with the rumours he'd heard this minor detail appeared noteworthy.

Agoti found the whole scene a bit intimidating. Tabi might've too, had he been really looking at it.

"What about the rest of the group? I don't want to make things awkward."

Agoti looked at him skeptically. He had just been starring off into the distance. Agoti knew he was just making excuses, the anxiety still gnawing at him.

"What exactly would that change?"

"Well, I-what if (Y/N) says no?"

Agoti shrugged. "Guess we won't know till you ask."

Tabi just grumbled.

"Pfft. I doubt (Y/N) will say no. Sounds like 'e already thinks you two are a couple."

No longer wanting to sit and talk he got up and looked over forward. The guard had vanished, likely into the structure.

A few more jumps and they were one hop away from reaching the TGG-controlled property. The entrance to the skyscraper was within sight from atop that building.

The TGG-controlled property stood a bit farther than the others. A four-lane street separated it this time. A regular jump would not have worked. Buildings being the same height also rendered any jumps improbable.

"You brought that hook right?"

"Only one."

Tabi looked at him, annoyed.

"Hey, you said we didn't need any."

"..."

With no clear way to get across they had to resort to other tactics. First they checked for cameras on the street level. There were a few, mostly beside exits to the building. However, they noticed a blindspot in the middle of them. A telephone pole stood in that, just off the road.

Tabi pointed to it and nodded to Agoti.

Going down their current building wasn't an easy task. There was but one way down. Two times five sets of windows went down, all evenly spaced and not too far apart, perfect for leaping down from. They each jutted out just enough to put their feet on.

Jumping back up would've been an extreme core workout that neither one wanted. They'd have to find another way up.

Checking for cars they waited until the street had gone quiet and jumped down, trying their best to stay out of sight. They stayed alongside the sides of the windows hoping not to be seen.

Being constantly on the run taught Tabi a thing or two about parkour. Combined with his job requiring him to be up in trees he had become no stranger to climbing. Agoti likewise, having to evade cops and teachers when he was younger. Having Sol as a father helped too, as he had to come up with increasingly complex ways to get away if Sol ever got angry at the boy.

Climbing up to the TGG-owned building was trivial. A simple telephone pole allowed them an easy climb. Agoti had his sleaves cover his hands to stop and splinters from working their way in. Tabi, in his current state had no problem using his bare hands to grip and climb.

Without even breaking a sweat, the two made it to the top, now looking at the building even closer. With the lack of guards storming the place they must have been skulked by undetected.

From his hoodie pocket, Tabi pulled out some binoculars. 'Borrowed' from work, though he didn't care about the repercussions. He'll return it tomorrow.

"Collect any imperfections, weaknesses or oddities of the place." Displo had said. It rung true as they looked.

Though Tabi said and believed it pointless, Agoti ended up digging up his old digital camera to help take photos.

The stood on the west building, just barely able to see the entrance from their position. However, the entrance was extravagant enough that even from that skewed perspective it was noticeable.

There was main entrance to the building. Surrounding the door in-grained to it, a magnificent arch depicting many figures, sculpted all around it. Possibly, it depicted some sort of event, the piece too far away to accurately tell.

That looked to be the only entrance. From the three-point view they saw from above the only other entrances were one-way doors across the ground floor. Tabi could see signage next to the doors that probably said "return to the main entrance if locked out."

There would be no sneaking in like Blindside.

Instead of walls, windows lined the entire ground floor and alternated with walls as he looked up. The ground floor was dimly lit, allowing the crew to get a slightly better look inside.

It was a massive lobby, though they could only see from one side.

"See anything? Lemme take a look."

"Here." Tabi handed Agoti the binoculars and pulled his phone out, making notes.

The view from above skewed the look of the floor. The first floor looked large, containing a massive lobby and a high ceiling. There seemed to be some sort of art installation hanging from the ceiling but it remained dark in the night.

Additionally Agoti saw that towards the north section of the building the ceiling lowered into some circle, pillars surrounding what he presumed to be a security desk and some deeper part of 1F.

Looking around he didn't see any metal detectors, though after what Displo had said he wouldn't be surprised if they had some alternate method. Or maybe they were just confident enough nobody would be stupid enough to shoot up the place?

The ground floor lights lit just that up, the floor.

There looked to be a cafe in the lobby as well. Dimly lit but the chairs, tables and the edge of the bar were visible. Disguising as cafe workers wouldn't work. Agoti thought. Nobody on the team other than Displo could pull it off and he'd would get detained instantly. Maybe Kapi could?

Regardless, it gave it opportunity to snap some photos. Handing the binoculars back to Tabi he started the photo op.

Like the last jump they made this building would too far to grapple. The closest place to hook-in would've been one of the 'mis-aligned' floors, but the nearest one was 2 stories up, on the fourth floor. And even then, doing something like that in broad daylight would be idiotic. Tabi thought, annoyingly.

"Why are we even doing this during the day? We aren't going be dealing with 'them' in the day, shouldn't we practice at night?" He wondered aloud.

"I dunno. DP didn't given any rules on it. We could probably do it at night."

Tabi noted it down. It was a possibility.

Agoti kept looking around, now starring up at the building. It stretched to the clouds. If it weren't for the lights shining from the top floor he would've thought it continued forever up.

Despite it's size the building appeared in perfect shape. Not a single thing look out of order. It had been constructed perfectly, all the chairs were in it's places, not a single pane chipped, everything was....

"Spotless." Agoti muttered as he looked.

"Hrmm?"

"Window cleaners!" He said.

"What about 'em?" Tabi said.

"What if we disguised as them?"

Tabi thought it over and gave an approving nod. "Yeah, I like that. Be outside, reach the top, break in, fight our way down. Be given total access." It was a similar role to the one he took in the last operation as well.

"Do they do it themselves though or do they have a contract?"

"How would I know? Maybe DP or S can figure out."

"Dope. Well that's our role down." Agoti said.

With that on the mind Tabi looked back down. Along the sidewalk and in all around the building were hedges and nicely cut trees.

It reminded him of his work on public trees. The ones he worked on were far bigger and more gnarled than these though. Each one looked perfect, a straight stump and a perfectly spherical leafline. Like a child or some minimalist artist would draw.

It contrasted horribly with the overly complex design on the door but he didn't care. He was a musician and sometimes arborist, not a designer.

*BOOM*

A large thud was heard behind the two, startling both.

Something landed behind them, loud enough to hear the wind move. Hard enough that cracks in the concrete roof formed. Tabi and Agoti froze, neither one brave enough to see what had landed.

"So, boys. What're we spying on?~" Someone said playfully.

Both Tabi and Agoti knew that voice. Tabi cursed in his head. It was possibly the worst person that could've shown up now.

"Y'know, I never took you two as the pervy types. Boys will be boys I guess." Someone said, giggling.

Tabi didn't bother putting away the binoculars, instead just taking a deep breath and turning around.

At the other end of the roof stood a huge woman, double the height of Tabi and easily towering over the both of them. She stood at the other end of the roof, speaking to them from afar.

They knew her well, introductions were not necessary.

She stood 3 metres tall, an imposing figure. Not lanky like Huggy either, she was physically strong, easily mistaken for some kind of monster.

She had snow white hair which shined faintly under the lunar sky. Atop her head a black onyx crown which matched her black choker and belt.

Neither Tabi nor Agoti knew what species she actually was. In the few times they had interacted she had always referred to herself as the 'queen of the void'. Humanoid in some ways, while monstrous in others. Her skin as white as the moon, matching her hair. Her face was another piece that led onlookers to believe her to be human.

Solazar had told Agoti that she was like him, a solarisapien, thought he himself wasn't sure.

Her large eyes shone a light purple, swirls in them present indicated her humanity was not there. Both members knew better than anyone else to not look into them.

There were other 'human-like' features of her, large breasts might've once implied to them she was human but alas, claws as fingers and her intimidating stature were unlike any human.

In the dark night, her smile wasn't present but moonlight reflected off sharp teeth, displaying a twisted smile.

She wore a gown coloured pale blue, parting at the legs like a lab coat. The silky material flowed down to her feet, gently swaying in the night air. On the centre of the gown it turned to a deep blue, coalescing to the split. Her sleaves were rolled up, exposing strong arms.

Underneath the gown was a jumpsuit, the same blue as her gown's centre. They had grey trims and matched her dark blue boots as well.

It was such an unusual dress he though she was of eastern origin the first time he met her. A quick conversation with Sol later explained she was of alien descent actually. "Eldritch-class specifically." Sol had added then.

Both Tabi and Agoti were acquainted with her. Not in a friendly way, they knew she spelled trouble.

They knew her as Nikusa.

Track 33 - Blood Meridian

"But! This is my show. And what better way to really kick off the climax than with this!"


Both members turned.

She leaned down, condescendingly. "Fancy seeing you two out here. Surely you didn't come here looking for me?" Her voice spelled mischief, every word dripping with double-meaning.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? No hello? How are you doing?" She said gleefully.

Tabi looked over her dress and figure. She was insanely strong, far too powerful even if both of them tried to take her. Not to mention guards would show up soon enough anyways.

"You're looking...haggard as always." Tabi spat.

"That's more like it. Glad to see some people still have manners." She said, scoffing at Tabi.


She took a step forward.

"The hell are you doing here?" Agoti asked. Any worry he had was masked by his annoyance.

"Hmph. I should be asking the both of you no? Did I interrupt your date? Boys like you shouldn't be out late. Never know what's around." She growled as she finished and took another step forward.

"Pft. We aren't a couple." Tabi said, unfazed. She may have overheard some of their conversation but he wasn't going to let her get under his skin.

"Oh? Two washed-up artists turned spies. What a sight!" She turned idly, pretending to be in deep thought as she exercised her prose. "I always thought you two would make a good couple." She said happily. "Two washed-up artists turned to espionage. Could make a good book." She paused. "Though I would've guessed you two to be most soldiers." She shrugged and face them, completing her monologue.

"Think all you want. We're going." Agoti said, nudging Tabi.

"Nonsense." She stepped forward again. "We're not done here."

She looked directly at Agoti, trying to make eye contact. The digidevil knew better and looked away, even if it did make him appear weak.

"Heh. Guess you're still alone you witch." Tabi said, coming up with it on the spot. "Why don't you tell us why you're here instead?"

"Cute shot hun. But my retort was better." She hummed. "Don't flatter yourselves. I'm not here for you. I've moved onto bigger and badder things. Know the man that owns this building? He thought it entertaining to send his goons after me. A small love letter."

"I took care of them but it gets boring after you take down the 3rd squad. I've come to see if that man is willing to come at me directly. Cut the chit-chat and get to the action." She said, looking completely innocent.

She walked forward and closed the gap, joining them on the edge.

Though defensive and cautious, Tabi and Agoti just stepped out of her way. She moved like an actor moving across a stage.

"I'd like to take him on. RRRRRrhh." She growled.

She turned her head, looking down at Agoti. "How's your father doing? Still uptight as usual?"

While Agoti could read Tabi, Nikusa had always been a complete anomaly. Tabi too, finding her incomprehensible. They could never read her. Just a few minutes after insulting the both of them repeatedly she now had a bored expression on her face as she looked up. Now that he thought of it, her strange visage reminded him of another unfathomable being, S. He wondered is she'd get along with him.

Agoti had no idea if she was being friendly or not.

"He's doing alright."

Her mood changed, that twisted smile removing as her eyes narrowed. It was a look of domination. She wanted power over him.

"You've been holding up well, right?"

"I-I have." Agoti knew not to look into her eyes and backed up, but even as she bent down she stayed too close. He could feel her purple glow on himself.

"Well.." She said sensually. "It's been quiet in the void lately. I could really use a strong man like you to keep me company. I won't leave you there again." She said quietly.

Agoti gulped. Never mind her eyes, his vision was filled with something much larger. He nearly fell over. Nikusa had no issue directly invading his personal space.

"That's enough. We need to get going." Tabi said, stepping beside Agoti. He nudged him.

She stood up. "Perhaps you're right. I bothered this boy enough. Now about you...~" She said, turning her attention to Tabi.

"You've always been stronger than him. Me and you. Let's take this whole building down." She whispered to him, now invading his personal space.

Trembling slightly from the sudden attention, Tabi gulped, but did the same thing he did in any life or death situation. He drew his knife.

"Stay away." It took all his willpower to say it straight. But he found himself starring into her eyes.

"Aw, come on. Add your buddy here and we can burn down this whole building." She said.

They shined brightly, enough that light from them reflected faintly off Tabi's skull. The swirls would have proved hypnotic but he focused directly on them, instead forcing his mind to be clear.

"No." Tabi said, a little weaker but still in control.

Rather than let his willpower erode further, Nikusa stood up, Tabi now head height with her stomach.

"Hmph. You've changed."

She took a few steps back.

"Well. What a night so far! Got to meet some old friends and I even get to play with them." She declared. She waltzed to the centre of the roof.

Agoti nudged Tabi to go. He complied and they tried slipping past her. They only made it a few steps before she stopped, glaring right at them.

"But! This is my show. And what better way to really kick off the climax than with this!" She said gleefully. With complete ease she grabbed the radiator and ripped it off the roof as if it were made of paper.

Tabi and Agoti watched in horror as she picked it up and like a baseball chucked it towards the TGG headquarters. It smashed through the glass window, hurtling through and crashing on the floor, exploding into hundreds of scrap metal pieces.

The crash set off several alarms as TGG's lights came on a bright red.

"Start running boys!" She shouted triumphantly.

Solazar had eventually come to the point where he believed that violence would be the only way to stop her; that reasoning, nay even speaking would only energize her more. It was a point of view Agoti understood but he also knew what she was capable of. Yet again, Solazar had been proved correct.

Now Playing...

Artist: Salaryman

Song: Inca Panic

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr9AiA-UVEo

It didn't take long for guards to come running, a few seconds at best. And even then, a few more seconds to look up and see Nikusa, standing atop the roof smiling ominously at them.

Nikusa turned to Agoti and Tabi, smiling like a delinquent wanting to be caught. He expression said a simple line. "Like what I've done?"

Tabi and Agoti weren't going to wait around. They bolted for the other end of the roof, planning on making it back to the car.

Nikusa let them as she turned to the guards. Still within earshot she declared. "Aw, where are you going? Don't you want to stick around for the rest of the fun?!" She rose her hands up as if to get everyone's attention.

Just as Agoti and Tabi passed the rooftop door it opened, security starting to pour out. "That idiot!" Tabi cursed. He jumped first and slid down the telephone pole, taking extra care to conceal his hands.

Agoti wasn't as fast thinking and instead slid, bare hands getting splinters. "Shoot!" He winced in pain but kept moving.

Escape the only thing on their minds they narrowly missed getting hit by a car, it swerving out the way. They barely even registered Nikusa shouting at someone.

Just as they made it to the end of the street they heard a loud crash behind them. Tabi, wishing he didn't have to, glanced behind him.

Nikusa was standing, the pavement smashed from impact. She ripped a drone in half, completely unfazed by the small explosion and sparks flying about.

And she still had the same psychotic smile. "C'mon boys! We're just getting started!" She threw the half towards Tabi, it crashing into the wall.

Holding the other half she looked up at the roof, guards aiming down at here. More drones had been deployed and were making for her.

"This is the best you got?" She screamed at them, throwing the other half of the drone in the air.

Tabi watched the whole thing, dumbfounded. A laser sight atop the roof got his attention. He grabbed Agoti who just was about to start jumping up the next window. A bullet fired right into the pole, just above where Agoti was.

Tabi motioned to go around the building, climbing too dangerous right now. They ran.

Wide open street, plenty of buildings around, no stores open and but a few cars around. The alarm from TGG's HQ was still going off. No good. There could be eyewitnesses at this rate.

Tabi took charge and ran across the road, noticing a fire escape near an apartment building. "Is she following us?" Agoti shouted.

"How should I know? I NEVER KNOW WHAT THE HELL SHE'S ON!"

"Hey don't yell at me! You're the one that had a crush-"

"SHUT UP!" Tabi yelled, not wanting to have a conversation in the midst of escaping.

Just as Tabi and Agoti reached the alley, Agoti grabbed Tabi's back and used him as a platform to reach the escape ladder.

His focus was just on escaping, barely noticing the commotion going on behind them. To the drivers, the whole scene sounded like a war zone.

Upon the escape, he reached down and Tabi jumped. With an easy pull up, the both were on the escape. They started scaling the stairs, no regard for being stealthy anymore.

Whatever was going on behind them, they distinctly noticed the sounds of shattering glass, things hitting the building they were climbing. Whether gunshots, projectiles or Nikusa throwing things they couldn't tell.

Tabi picked up one more distinct sound too. Police sirens.

Elsewhere, you were testing the police radio, Huggy in your lap sleeping. Just out of pure curiosity you set it to the operating channel. "All units to Alambik Road, possible 2171 or potential 2941 in the area. Three suspects."

You knew those codes easily. Armed robbery and terrorist attack.

"What the hell?" You say aloud. "S!" You shout. "Get to me!"

Now noticing the police sirens, Tabi started to panic. "DAMMIT" He shouted in frustration. They made it atop the building. Looking back they saw a flurry of smoke on the road below and lots of gunfire.

"WE'VE GOT YOU SURROUNDED! SURRENDER NOW!" Someone shouted into a megaphone from below.

They stepped back going for the opposite edge of the roof. No time to wait.

Just as they made it to the edge, a large figure emerged from the smoke, landing right where the two were previously looking at. She landed with a loud thud, making no concern if she destroyed the roof.

Tabi and Agoti turned back stunned. It was Nikusa. She looked completely unscathed.

"How're you finding it?" She asked nonchalantly.

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM US!" Agoti shouted.

"Awww..You're no fun." Nikusa pouted. "Wonder if they'll keep us together if they catch us? I'd love to spend more time with you two.~"

Agoti almost considered just attacking here then and there. At least that way they would've looked more innocent. He clenched his fists.

Rising from the street behind Nikusa several more drones arrived. They were much larger than the previous ones, looking more like miniature spaceships and alien tech than the others.

A man appeared with them, armed with an assault rifle, wings on his back carrying him up. Neither Tabi nor Agoti got a good look at him, but the one glowing eye he had, they could tell he was pissed.

Tabi grabbed Agoti's sleave and motioned to keep going. This was gonna get ugly. If they were seen they'd be screwed, the whole operation too.

"Oh? Where do you think you're--AAAAAAAAAAA" Nikusa was hit with electricity from the drones, a cavalcade of bullets from the angelic figure. Together they delivered a lethal shock. But, despite her initial response she was surprised. She turned to the soldier and shouted. "HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT ME!" And lunged at him.

Though it wasn't perfect, Tabi and Agoti landed onto the next building. "What's wrong with you guys? Don't even answer your phones." A snarky voice said from Tabi's phone. S had arrived.

"Hey! Can you guys hear me!" S shouted. "CAN'T TALK RIGHT NOW KINDA BUSY." Tabi shouted.

"Well excuse me. Just that (Y/N)'s freakkkkkk***.....in..What?" S' voice started to sound more and more distorted. "Holy! The network's gone haywire!" He said, connection clearing up.

"Jam***!!!!<.....><<>>----" S tried to say but the connection was fading. With the remaining link he had he cranked the volume to max. "---COPTR*****DOWN*DDDDWOWOWNW" Was the last thing heard from Tabi's phone followed by the end call sound.

They landed on another building, heading in the direction of their car. They were only about half way. But despite their distance they could hear people behind them still just as close.

"Holy crap!" Agoti said as he now understood was S meant. He tapped Tabi and pointed back.

Far behind and loudly approaching was a helicopter. It must have emerged from the The Greater Good's HQ. It had a searchlight on it, and if they were closer, they could've seen the mounted guns atop it.

"Dude we gotta get down." Agoti said, stammering.

"Got it." Just as they reached the next edge two drones rose up. Similar to the ones that targeted Nikusa, these ones had poles atop them, flashing with various colours.

Before they could even charge and shoot, Tabi jumped at one, grabbing it's head. He stayed clear of the shock tubes, knowing full well he couldn't take a shock like that. The other drone paused, unsure of what to do. Tabi's weight and his body blocking the drone's camera caused it to sink. It started emitting some panicked beeping.

With the drone distracted, Agoti whipped out the grappling hook and threw it at the other one, the hook landing square in it's camera.

Tabi jumped off the drone, it crashing into the one Agoti paralyzed. They both landed in a heap somewhere in the alley below.

"Freeze!" A guard shouted from across the roof. Like the other one he was on a jetpack as well. He opened fire, bullets lighting up the air towards Agoti.

"Ah!" Agoti shouted as he jumped forward, hoping for the best. He knew he'd survived longer falls.

He tried to angle it so that he fell in the open trash bin, instead missing and landing stomach first on the closed one. He made a loud crash.

"Ah, damn..." Agoti whispered. He writhed in agony. His rest was short-lived as the guard above opened fire on them below. He missed.

God. I hope those things didn't take photos. Tabi thought.

Tabi grabbed a nearby trash lid and threw it at the shooter, averting his attention. Tabi pulled Agoti up and kept running.

From above screaming was heard, as something huge knocked the shooter to the next building.

"Where are we going?" Agoti whined. "My car's that way."

"No way. They've got a copter. We gotta remain low." They had no idea where they were running, just trying to keep moving.

"I'm back!" S declared from Tabi's phone. He pulled the phone out of his pocket. All saw was Tabi and Agoti running somewhere. It was dark out, the front camera wasn't picking up much detail.

"Look up the closest way to Adobe College!" Tabi shouted into the phone.

"Why? I ain't some mai-"

"DO IT!" Tabi yelled. He had no time for games.

"Geez. Don't gotta be so mean. Alright....boutta 30 minute run, northeast...so up Silverlight Street, go north, make a hard right at Saratoga."

"Put that on Agoti's phone!" He commanded. "Agoti, take lead!"

"What's going on?" He asked. Shock had kicked in, the pain from his fall and splinters were but a distant memory.

"I'll explain, just get us to the campus."

Following closely behind Tabi closed the map app and went to contacts. Right at the bottom he found what he needed.

"GIRL, LEAD" He hit call, praying that she pick up. Under normal circumstances he would have hesitated calling but tonight was serious.

Drones were still buzzing about the sky. They had lost Tabi and Agoti but were still looking intently for any movement. Hiding amongst the dark alleyways was working.

Someone picked up instantly. "Tabi! That really you?" A feminine voice spoke, sounding excited.

"Y-yes. Ayana. It's me. I need help. It's urgent. You still on campus?" He panted. While Tabi was in shape, the chase was starting to wear on him.

"You know it!" She cheered. "Can't believe you called. It's..It's not about my ex is it?"

"It's not. I swear. I'll explain later. I just-argh!" Tabi tripped, dropping the phone. Continuing chase he got up and put it back to his ear. "Can me and Agoti crash at your place? Just a few hours."

"Agoti's there too! Ooooh! Tell him I say hi! Yeah. Of Course! I'm on reading week it's pretty chill."

"Yes yes. Can you-pick-" A bullet ricocheted past them. They'd been spotted. Ayana didn't hear Tabi and kept going. "Oh, can you guys bring some beer? All out-"

"AYANA. I WILL BRING YOU ALL THE BEER. Please! Do you have a car?"

"You guys okay? Sounds rough out there."

"I'll explain later. Please. Car."

"No can do. Dalia's got it for a gig. You remember Dalia right? DJ-"

"Okay. Just. Can you meet us near the entrance. Please."

"Sure. How soon?"

"I-I don't know. T-thirty minutes?"

"Sure man. See you soon. Lookin' forward to that be-" Tabi didn't let her finish, instead hanging up. He felt slightly bad though he knew he'd apologize later.

He couldn't see any other way to weather this storm.

Another call came in, ringtone blaring. This time from you. Tabi whispered something as he kept running, hitting the reject button. This was no time to discuss things.

After passing streets and alleys, ducking behind signs and staying out of the streetlights they made it to another street they had to cross.

Agoti and Tabi entered the street after checking for cars. It was empty. There was a single truck far up the road. As they stepped into the open street they froze.

"Haven't forgotten about me have you?" A familiar voice said happily.

Across the street, right in their path was a cafe. It was closed but lights around the sign atop it were lit, proudly displaying the name. Standing amongst those lights was...Nikusa.

She looked completely clean, beaming with happiness.

"DAMMIT STOP FOLLOWING US!" Tabi yelled.

Nikusa shook her head. "Nope. I'm having too much fun." She held up a piece of the jetpack and some feathers. "And these guys are such a bore."

The helicopter was far closer now, the sounds of the blades loud. At least the TGG alarm was out of earshot.

She jumped down onto the road, eyes starring right at the other two fugitives.

She was far too preoccupied to notice the truck speeding down the road. The driver slammed the horn and even with the brakes it wasn't enough. The track slammed into Nikusa and went barrelling into the building at the streets end. The driver, freaking out, scrambled to get of the truck.

"Oh thank god." Agoti muttered. He ran forward with Tabi to the cafe. They ducked beside its stairwell, hoping it could conceal them.

From the alley they had run out of, a team of guards exited. They were dressed in all black, wielding heavy weaponry. They looked like a SWAT team but far stronger.

The helicopter had reached above them and started to land.

The team's attention was first on the cafe. They would have charged there had the nearby truck not exploded, diverting their attention. Tabi and Agoti lowered themselves further, barely peering over the stairwell to see what would happen next.

The team moved into the road, surrounding the helicopter. They all had their guns trained on the crash, fire erupting from the explosion.

Agoti had been holding his phone out in front, giving S a decent view of what was happening.

In the smoke, fire and ash from the explosion they saw a dark figure move into view. Tabi cursed silently as he saw purple eyes light up from the scene. Nikusa was fine.

"Woaah. Who is that?" S said, impressed.

"A psychopath. Let's go." Tabi said and pulled Agoti into the alley further. He wasn't interested in seeing what happened next. The last thing he saw was someone large get out of the helicopter.

Track 34 - Rest

"I don't suppose you two saw the news this morning?"

"Bring it on weatherboy!" Nikusa yelled just as they dipped. They didn't stick around to find out who her opponent was but judging by his yelling, he was pissed.

Tabi and Agoti kept moving. S remained curious neither were in the mood to deal with his quips and incessant questions about Nikusa. Most of the replies were either 'we'll fill you in later" or "be quiet."

They didn't dare look back at what happened behind them. Their ears told a good enough story. A few streets over later they heard what sounded like an explosion as well as what they thought was thunder. The sounds got quieter, though they were unsure if it was because they were moving away or the fight was moving elsewhere.

Regardless, the drones and guards had stopped following them, focusing more on the damage Nikusa had done on her rampage. They had no idea where she was or if she was still following them.

But, while TGG may have calmed down on its hunt, police were still about. Though not as dangerous as TGG's troops, if spotted they would've been arrested. Tabi knew it would be game over if they were caught.

S came in handy, being able to sense nearby cars and divert attention away if need be. After coming to a particularly dense alley system, Tabi and Agoti stopped for a breather. They both slumped down against a brick wall and a trash bin.

"S. Can you check the news?" Tabi asked, tired.

S sighed. "Alright, fine. Let's see."

While S gave out the news, Tabi texted you, just informing that he and Agoti were okay.

Though ignorant to the exact outcome of Tabi's excursion the police radio explained all that needed. "Yeah well you got half the city on alert. Be safe." You respond.

"It's hard to say right now but there appear to have been three conspirators. We don't know for now exactly what their motives were, some eyewitnesses are saying it was a robbery gone wrong while others are saying it was politically-motivated." The radio spoke through S. "We have this from the NCPD police chief."

"Shortly after alerting The Greater Good, the suspects went on a rampage destroying property, attacking first responder and civilians." The chief said before it returned to the anchor.

"It appears they have split up. Early reports are saying to watch out for a human woman, 3 metres tall, snow white skin and white hair. The other 2 suspects are described as anthro wolves wearing red and blue hoodies."

"Shoot." Agoti said. "Should we ditch our hoodies?" He was trying to pull the splinters out of his hands from earlier.

"No way. This is all I got and I'm not getting sick again." Tabi said.

"All suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Both NCPD's Advanced Corps as well as volunteers from The Greater Good's security force are currently combing the streets in the Albino and Blacksheep Neighbourhoods. If you see anything please report to Crime Stoppers." S shut off the radio. He knew they heard what they needed.

"We're so screwed."

"You guys did all that? Why?" S asked.

"We didn't. All we were doing was recon for this stupid operation. It was that crazy собака. God I hope they catch her." Tabi said as he kicked the trash can.

"About that. You guys gonna finally tell me who that was now?" S asked.

"Nikusa. She's...I don't know what she is. She built this void, stuck Agoti in it. The Family asked her to do but knowing her she probably did it for fun. She's a sick woman."

"I like that." S snickered. "So what's this void? Like a big space?" S asked.

"Yeah. Sort of. Like an endless space, nothing but rocks floating in it. They had me there for a year." Agoti said, shuddering.

"She also keeps trying to screw with the rest of Agoti's family. And The Greater Good I guess. Probably the Family too somehow. She has lots of enemies." Tabi said. "And she's indestructible. I'm sure she's still out there, running or fighting. I think she's from space."

"Man, I really like the way she sounds. Wonder if I know her from out there."

Agoti nudged Tabi playfully. "Aw, c'mon man. That's not all..~" Agoti teased.

"Okay, fine. I had a crush on her. You happy now? Wouldn't have had one if I'd known she was a complete lunatic!"

"Ha, there it is."

"Whatever." Tabi got up. "Shall we go now?"

Agoti raised his hand up. "Alright. Say, don't you think S could put a report in, just divert the cops elsewhere so we can get to my car?"

"Ehn. Too much paperwork. Do it yourself."

"Whatever." Tabi said. "Let's just to go Ayana's. I owe her that much."

Agoti shrugged. "Let's go."

"Who's that?" S asked.

"Just an old fan of mine." Tabi said.

They continued on. As they moved from building to building, road to road and corner to corner the police presence started to lessen. Eventually S, content they were safe, left himself, citing he wanted some sleep. As a last measure, they had S check the activity near Agoti's car. Police were lurking the area.

"You think she's still following us?"

"God, I hope not."

Eventually after a few more close calls they made it to the campus.

The whole place was structured like a small town, with buildings dedicated to housing, shopping and learning all spread out across a whole space. They even had their own security and police force.

Sure enough, Ayana was waiting for them outside the dorm building, just off to the side. Browsing her phone idly, waiting, it was cold enough to see her breath.

"Tab! What's up!" She waved upon seeing Tabi and Agoti. Both kept their hoods on, trying to stay anonymous.

She had long flowing brown hair which shined under the buildings lights. She had tan skin and dark eyes as well as a white bracelet on her right and black one on her left.

She wore a white tank top on with a red triangle around the centre. Always dressed to impressed she coveted navy blue short shorts on with dark leggings underneath, black high heels, despite only going outside to meet Tabi and Agoti.

"H-hello. How are you?" Tabi asked, he was still a little unsure how to speak to her.

"Doin' good. Cold out. Let's get inside. You got that beer?"

Tabi shook his head. "Sorry. It was all just to, um, uh-"

"Ah don't sweat it. I ordered some. Dw."

"Do you have another entrance? We kinda can't get spotted now." Agoti asked. He wasn't as familiar with Ayana as he was.

"Pfft. You think I didn't plan for this? I got a friend holding the door open on the side. Let's go."

Ayana led them up a plain maintenance shaft to her floor. All the way she had started asking all sorts of questions. It made Tabi feel like he was in an interview. Agoti would've expected Tabi to just deflect and hide but found Tabi actually making an attempt to answer said questions.

For Tabi he saw it as penance, something he must do. He felt as if he had abused her trust sometime ago or even treated her bad. Ayana didn't share that feeling at all, learning years ago that Tabi was just one of those 'strong silent-type'.

Agoti only vaguely knew her through Tabi. Just that she was someone that was a fan of their music and that she was a part of that 'group' he was building a year ago to get revenge on his ex. Said group never exceeded 4 members, Agoti recalled. Him, Tabi, Ayana and some other Russian expat he hadn't seen in years. And we how bossy he was during that time he already understood what Tabi meant when he said "I owe her that much."

A little more conversation later, Agoti found his footing and found he was able to speak with her better, giving his friend a break. She had plenty of questions for Agoti, all of which he was ready and willing to answer.

Finally they made it to Ayana's dorm. Though called that, it was less like a dorm and more like a flat.

Eventually the question came up about what exactly went down. She'd heard the news that two 'anthro wolves' were on the run but didn't guess it was them. Tabi explained a bit of the 'operation' but didn't mention the family.

"Taking on TGG, huh? You guys are nuts." Ayana said. "Heard all sorts of spooky stuff about them." She had taken a seat in the living room on the recliner, Tabi and Agoti on the couch. The beer had arrived but both felt too tired to drink anyways. Maybe later.

"Well, it's more like testing them but yeah." Agoti said.

"Dalia's a compsci major, y'know. Think she mentioned something like that once."

Figuring she could be a source of info, Tabi asked, "You know anything about them? Anything weaknesses, er, problems?"

"No idea. They have scholarships here but that's about all I know-Oh-and, uh, they also fund some medical program or something. I dunno, something with the med students. And rumours they harbour aliens, but that's common knowledge."

"Hmm."

"So how does it work? The operation." Ayana asked, curious.

"We break in, steal what we can and give them a report on what we did."

"Cool! OH, wait, did you guys do another one a few weeks ago?"

"Hell yeah, you saw that?" Agoti said proudly.

"Yeah! That was cool. I thought it was just a terrorist attack. How'd you guys end up in the line of work anyways? That's so cool!"

"Long story." Tabi looked to Agoti who nodded.

"Fair enough. When are you guys planning to do it?"

"I don't think we have a date yet."

"Well if you guys need anything, me and Dalia could probably help".

"Really?" Tabi asked, a little surprised.

"Sure! Dalia and I just finished finals till September. Long as I'm not busy that day, just lemme know." Ayana said cheerily.

They continued talking for another hour before finally leaving and heading back to their car. Though Tabi wasn't that interested in it, Agoti pretty much forced him to spend the night, refusing to drive back to Tabi's 'tree'.

He just planned to dip out early the next morning, hoping to avoid Sol's watchful gaze. That of course failed after he forgot to set an alarm. Not to mention Snowflake, Agoti's cat had crawled upon Tabi's stomach, effectively preventing him from moving when he started to stirr.

He probably would have slept in even longer, had Agoti's older brother not had started his morning exercises, rousing Tabi from sleep.

Annoyed, he peered out the spare room door to the kitchen. Solazar was there, looking in the fridge. Maybe if I just sneak by, time it with his brother's grunts... He creaked the door open slightly...

Snowflake meowed and darted out the door.

"Good morning Tabi. Would you like to join me and Agoti for breakfast?" Solazar said, not even looking back. Tabi sighed. He stepped out and put on his hat, shooting one glare at the cat. He had no proof but believed Sol kept those cats around just to stop him from leaving.

"Yeah, no thanks. I gotta go. I don't want to be late."

"Nonsense. I've already taken the liberty of informing them you'd be late." Solazar turned and looked at Tabi. Though he had no visible mouth, Tabi could tell he was smiling.

"..."

"We're having some having some pancakes. Come join us."

Solazar beckoned him forth. Tabi sighed, but there was no avoiding this. He walked into the kitchen. He could hear Agoti's brother exercising in the other room, the crunching of metal and moving of the equipment echoing across the condo.

Agoti was sitting at the kitchen island. He waved to Tabi before continuing to browse his phone and eating. His hoodie was nowhere to be seen, regular clothing replaced with a t-shirt and loose fitting sweats.

Solazar collected what he needed from the fridge and continued working on the pancakes, pouring batter into a hot pan.

"I don't suppose you two saw the news this morning?"

Tabi looked to Agoti, unsure if Sol knew or not. "No?" Sol asked. "Well, Nikusa apparently went on a rampage last night."

"Weird." Tabi said.

"Yeah, didn't even know she was in city." Agoti shrugged.

"They get her?"

"Ha, as if any prison here could contain her." Sol flipped a pancake, catching it with ease. "No she got away and is at large. Course that didn't stop them from phoning me asking if I knew anything." He muttered.

"Darn." Tabi mumbled.

"Wow." Agoti said absent-mindedly.

"You two be safe out there. Her rampage wasn't too far from where you were hanging out last night." Sol continued cooking, placing a few cooked pancakes atop nearby plates.

Tabi didn't notice it but on top of his business suit, Sol wore an apron.

"Yeah, campus security was up last night." Agoti said in-between bites.

"I'm sure it was." Sol said suspiciously.

He must've told him about Ayana. Tabi thought.

"Here you go!" Sol handed Tabi a plate. It was a stack of brown pancakes.

"I had to use some of Aldryx' protein powder but I assure you they taste just fine."

"T-thanks." Tabi said, pouring some syrup on them.

Sol turned to face the two, leaning back on the oven. While it was hot, such temperatures mattered little to him.

"You know, I heard there were two others as well." Sol said.

Agoti stopped chewing and looked up, trying to keep a poker face. Tabi just kept looking at the pancakes. He knew what was coming.

"Two...anthros? Not sure about that part but they did say they were in a red and blue hoodie."

Though he wasn't looking, he could feel Sol starring at him specifically through his thick glasses.

"So...Anything you boys wanna tell me?"

"Nope." Tabi said, sitting up. He could feel the cats staring at him from below, less "I want food" and more "I wanna see you squirm".

Agoti spoke up. "Okay, look. We may have run into her. But I swear we weren't working with her. She attacked us!"

"I see. And what exactly where you doing in that area? Bit far from the campus."

"We were just exploring." Agoti said, breaking eye contact and focusing back on his food.

"Uh-huh. You know I have connections all of this city right? I know that wasn't some 'random' building you were at. That was The Greater Good, you know, an organization dedicated to targeting our kinds of people." He said sternly. "So tell me the truth. You were working with Nikusa weren't you?"

"What? No. We were just scoping the place out. Honest." Agoti stammered.

Tabi just face palmed himself, annoyed at Agoti's quick surrender and inability to lie better.

"Is this true?" Sol turned to Tabi.

"We were scoping them out."

"For what possible reason?" Sol said, a little louder. "Misplaced vigilantism? For sick kicks? I know those people very well. They even tried to go after me many years ago. Suffice to say they aren't just some easy mark."

Tabi sighed. May as well lay it all out now. "We're gonna be pentesting them soon. We just went to do some recon, survey the building. She just showed up and started wrecking things."

"Even so. That was a reckless and stupid thing you two did. If you even run into her again I expect you to either beat her till submission or run. She's not a good person." Sol chastised them as if Nikusa's appearance was their fault.

He turned back to Agoti. "You're going to take on TGG? Are you absolutely sure about this? Like I said, they aren't just some random org. You know what I'm going to say next right?"

"You want to observe." Tabi said, unamused. He had started eating. If this whole thing was a setup for Sol to get mad at them the least he could do was eat the rest of the bait.

"I want to observe." Sol said right after. "No offense to your friend Displo, he's a fine man, but TGG is far more dangerous than that company. Are you two sure this isn't a setup?"

"It's not, Dad. Displo already dealt with the legal crap. Plus he's as paranoid as the rest of us. He doesn't like them anymore than you do. Plus, we kinda have-" Agoti coughed and continued eating.

"Kind of what?" Sol said sternly.

"N-nothing."

Sol looked to Tabi, glaring at him. Tabi looked to Agoti, the digidevil's face burning up. Tabi sighed again, wondering if Sol just liked getting angry. May as well bait him then.

"Long story-"

"I expect you'll it-"

"I will, geez. One of our team members found some alien, confronted them, they found out we had a team, threatened to take our team if we didn't test them. Said if we lost then they'd at least take one member instead."

"Is this true?" Sol turned back to Agoti. He nodded.

"Well they had better not take either of you. There will be hell to pay." Sol sighed. He turned his attention back to cooking.

"So it's just the 5 of you again?" Sol asked.

"There were 6 last time." Tabi said.

"No. You, Displo, that cop, Agoti, and that catboy."

Tabi realized that Sol hadn't met S yet, recalling that they'd never actually spoke. Not wanting to deal with the possible can of worms of having an eldritch being on the team; he kept quiet, "Nevermind."

"Nah, we got a few more people now." Agoti said, mouth full. "Got a witch, her daughter, uhh, some monster thing, oh and that alien."

"Quite a troupe you have there." Sol chuckled. "A girl from space, you said? What's her name?" Sol turned back to Agoti, this time curious.

"Nikku. No, she's not related to Nikusa...at least I don't think. She's really quiet."

"Nikku?" Sol said quietly. "That's...hmmm..can't be. She have a last name?"

"Moira, I think?" Agoti said, finishing his plate. He put the cutlery in a resting position as he pushed it away.

"Moriaka?" Sol said with wonder. "That can't be right. Are you absolutely sure?"

Tabi shrugged. He didn't really know her last name, just heard it referenced about.

"What's wrong?" Agoti asked. He picked up on his dad's sudden change.

"Wow." Solazar laughed. "No, it's just...I knew a Nikku once. She was the daughter of one of my old, er, I guess you could say acquaintances." Sol looked away. "But that was aeons ago..." Sol said quietly.

"Has she ever mentioned her parents? What she is? Where she came from?" Sol asked, sounding more worried than curious now.

"She can't remember anything. Just her name." Tabi said, mouthful. He found the pancakes pretty good, even with protein powder. A bit dense but the maple syrup softened them perfectly.

"Yeah, they took her memory away or something. She can't even speak. She just impersonates others. It's real weird." Agoti added.

"I have to meet her." Sol said. "Yes. I need to be sure. You're absolutely sure she can't remember anything?"

Tabi shrugged. "She barely said a word last meeting. Looked lost the whole time. I don't know, the person who found her said that they went through great lengths to capture her again."

"What's wrong Dad?" Agoti asked.

"I-It's nothing. Just a blast from the past." Sol dropped the spatula clumsily, it slamming on the floor. He said nothing as he bent down to pick it up. Without speaking again, Sol finished cooking and dumped the dishes into the sink. "Amora and I have to go shopping. Tabi, thanks again for staying. Good luck today." Sol nodded at and hurried to the living room.

Agoti looked at Tabi confused. Tabi just shrugged. "I gotta going too. See you tonight."

"Alright...? Later man."

Ayana has joined the party!

Track 35 - In Preparation

"We will come after you and all you love. Our security will be up."

For Tabi and Agoti, last night was epic. For you, less so. At first you had begun messing with the newly obtained police radio. They didn't care about you taking a spare and the chief even made it a point to say if you wanted to go after alerts you were welcome to, off-the-record, of course.

Then it was the matter of getting Huggy settled in. He found the late Easter basket the cops had assembled. You still hadn't touched it, the basket remaining in the living room. It took hassling Huggy with a broom to stop eating at it.

First was getting it working on general frequencies. That took little trouble. With just a few knob tweaks and antenna-messing the news came on. "Sky *bzzt* still *skrt* missing. Anyone with *beep* information is expected to come to the police. In other news the strange deep freeze that hit Manhattan is finally thawing. *SKRTYTT* as low as 30 degrees celsius. *BEEEP* That's all for-" You change the knob. It worked.

Setting it to police frequencies you heard all hell break loose at The Greater Good's headquarters. You had sent S to investigate but he came back, stating that someone (likely TGG) had been engaging in signal jamming to prevent communications from getting out.

The specifics were unclear but a few unread texts later, Tabi gave you a quick rundown.

Just before bedtime, Tabi texted you a brief summary of events. That he and Agoti were ambushed and chased. He promised to explain everything at the next meeting.

Of course, that wasn't enough as your phone woke you at just past 3:00AM. You could hardly reach it, finding Huggy had snuck into your bed, coiled around you like a serpent.

Displo had awoken claiming that Tabi, Agoti and a third wheel attempted to attack the building. Defending him you convinced Displo that Tabi would not do something so stupid. "Well if they get caught we're all screwed. For our sake I hope you are correct." He wrote. Apparently, not only did Updike believe IRIS was behind the attack but that the 'pitiful attack' was the operation.

It was only after Displo explained he had no idea what was going on that Updike relented. Then you were the first person he called after. Needless to write, Displo was stressed and begged you to come into the restaurant first thing.

Worried you slept uneasily the rest of the night, only lulled to sleep by Huggy's refusal to let you go.

The surprises continued when you arrived at Displo's just past 8. You were greeted by a familiar face at the front table.

Updike.

He didn't have any guards around him this time. He wore the same white suite and was patiently drinking a tea. He barely fit into the chair and even then the chair someone wasn't buckling under his weight.

A strange sight.

Updike wasn't alone, the person sitting with him making the picture even stranger. Tess was sitting across the table, the two locked in deep conversation.

Displo was present too, standing behind the bar watching closely, cleaning glasses. Though his face displayed the same pattern by the aggressive way he cleaned that glass he must have been anxious or suspicious.

Both barely even noticed you enter. Updike saw first, putting his tea down and standing up.

"Ah, the ring leader arrives." He remarked. His expression nary changed, a resting annoyed face present.

Tess got up. "Morning, (Y/N)." She looked back to Updike and nodded. "Well. I have plenty more to do. It was nice meeting you. Feel free to come by anytime." Tess smiled.

"Thank you. Displo, you have very intelligent employees here." Updike said, for once having some sort of happiness in his voice.

"Yes...quite." Displo said. With that Tess skated off to resume her duties. Updike sat back down, beckoning you to sit as well.

Despite his lack of entourage it didn't make him any less intimidating.

"What's this all about?"

"I'll explain shortly. Don't worry. I won't take too much of your time."

You roll your eyes and take a seat. Displo motioned for the prep cooks to go to the kitchen, informing them this would only take a minute. When it was just the 3 of you left in the dining room, Displo came to your side. Just like the last time Updike showed up, he didn't appear anxious in the slightest. He was holding it in. Displo rested a hand on your shoulder.

"I expect honesty." Updike said, unexpectedly.

"Okay?"

He pulled out a folder from inside his suit. Your instinct kicked in and unconsciously reached for your gun. Thankfully he didn't notice the gesture.

He placed the folder on the table, opening it and pulling out a picture. A black and white photo of a street, a woman standing in it, holding what appeared to be one of Updike's men by the throat.

Updike looked at you expectantly. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I have no idea who that is."

"Oh? Are you not going to claim she's a member of your little 'team'? Her name is Nikusa; but I'm sure you know that."

"Like I said. I have no idea who she is."

"Likewise." Displo said. "She is not of our ranks."

"The lone wolf theory. Hpmh." Updike said, putting away the photo. "Last night there was a direct attack on my establishment. This is nothing short of an act of war. She had two accomplices. I have enough eyes to know who exactly was at my place last night. The 'digidevil', the 'goat' and this woman."

"Sure. Tabi and Agoti may have been there last night, but I swear they weren't with her. They even texted me last night they were ambushed. She's not a friend, whoever she is."

"And I presume you still have proof of this interaction?"

You sigh and hand Displo the phone. He inspects it, holding the phone too close to his eyes.

"Very well. However I am still curious about your team's connection to Nikusa. It is our understanding you can help deliver her to us."

"Look. Sure. But again, I got no clue that this is. If we run into her, I'll give you a call. But really, she's not a member."

"(Y/N) is correct. You are well away of me and my people. We wouldn't do something as reckless as strike randomly, with a tiny fraction of the actual team."

Updike put away the folder, but removed the picture. "Very well. I believe you. I still want to question Tabi and Agoti about this. From the footage I have, they very much were conversing."

"You may question them, but I assure you, we would NEVER do something so stupid." Displo said, giving up Tabi and Agoti. You add that he could not ask them about the surveillance. Updike agreed, finally stating he believed this incident and the upcoming operation were not related.

"She sent 15 of my men to the hospital last night, as well as several other squads in the past. You had best not get involved with her. We won't have a repeat if by some chance you are affiliated with her."

"We won't. I promise. And if we come upon any information of her whereabouts you shall know first." Displo said hopefully.

"I will assure you if you are connected to this 'monster' then all previous agreements are off. We will come after you and all you love. Our security will be up." Updike said coldly.

"U-understood." Displo said, voice cracking slightly. Updike looked to you next and you nodded. You weren't afraid of him; though the image of them going after Pomona and Kapi that bothered you.

"Thank you. And thank you for the tea." Displo put a 5$ bill on the table and left.

Once he was out, Displo sat down, his strong appearance wearing thin. "What did those two do last night?" He asked, flabbergasted.

"Nikusa. You have really never heard of her?" You ask.

"No. I have not."

"Humph. Wonder what she thinks of the family." You say, looking at the photo. She did look fierce.

Elsewhere, Tabi had begun his day, already starting on a tree.

"Ey, you okay man? You seem rattled." One of the arborists said. Tabi was in the tree, small chainsaw in hand. This particular one had gnarled branches and overgrown leaves. He was supposed to be cutting the pointless branches, though found himself deep in thought.

He was replaying the events of last night. Nikusa had returned. He found himself paranoid, worried she'd show up anywhere.

He shook his head, snapping out of the trance. "Uh, sorry, no. I need a break. Rough night."

"Alright. I could take 10 too. You're staying up there though. We gotta at least look like we're doing some work."

"Fine." Tabi put the chainsaw down and took a seat on one of the branches, staring up into the sky through leaves.

Elsewhere you sent Tabi a text. Just a short one, telling him Updike was pissed, wanted Nikusa's head and that he wanted to talk about Nikusa. Otherwise, Tabi and Agoti were in the clear.

There was one other question asked, one that almost made Tabi fall out of the tree.

"Do you think Nikusa would join?"

Instead of a quick reply it was a phone call.

"Absolutely not. You have no idea what she's capable of! She's a complete lunatic. Frickin' locked Agoti away for a year! No. No. No!"

"Okay, sheesh. Was just asking. She's still on the run, so Updike says."

"Argh! Don't tell me that. I'm already paranoid enough." Tabi grumbled. "God, if she shows up during the operation, I'm gonna have a heart attack." He mumbled under his breath.

"What's your deal with her?"

"It's-..Nothing. She's got a history with Agoti and his family but she's pulled me into it before. We fought a year ago when I was trying to find Agoti. It got brutal. She's just, really, she's not a good person for the team. She makes S look sane."

"Alright. Well, Updike's still trying to find her so if you spot her give me a call, I'll get them to send someone your way."

Tabi took a breath of relief. "I will."

The rest of the day breezed by without note. Another day of light reading, planning and dealing with a few unruly customers. Though it didn't pay as well as when you were a detective, it was alright. Gave plenty of time to plan as well, Displo occasionally coming over to check on your sketches.

With the heightened security from Updike you knew the team would have to strike soon. You recall reading in a book somewhere that the best time to strike was immediately after another attempt. 'They wouldn't be expecting another one so soon.' You remember.

With the closing of the restaurant for the day the meeting began. With everyone present a few things were learned.

S, through his searching found out that in a week, The Greater Good would be doing a tour of the building for some school outreach program. Pomona instantly took to the suggestion and claimed she could get her school part of it, and that her mother also be one of the volunteers.

Tabi and Agoti, through their recon determined they could pass in the building as window cleaners, or even window repairmen now as long as they could figure out if TGG used an external company or not.

It took a trivial amount of time to find that it was an external company. Displo found it first, noting a company called "Windowcleaners 4 Chumps" proudly spoke of TGG as one of their customers. Tabi and Agoti had an in.

Tabi also claimed he had two people, friends, named Ayana and Dalia who offered to help break in. Neither had any notable powers and were just about the 'normal' kind of person that would be ignored on the company's eye. "Just regular humans." He knew more about Ayana, claiming that Dalia was just her girlfriend and a DJ and astronaut in training. "They attend Adobe College, about 30 minutes away from the company."

With them in mind you decide to scrub through TGG's public website, easily finding a link between the college and TGG. They were also hiring interns for the summer. You suggest it to Displo, who proud of your initiative spoke.

"If we need Ayana and Dalia I do like this option. They could possibly let Tabi and Agoti in."

It was determined that the only people on the team who could go in directly were you and Kapi, a fact Kapi immediately didn't like. Nikku, Agoti, Tabi, and Displo were all either too recognizable or 'unique' enough to just walk right in.

It was found that that Nikku's voice powers were limited to ones she had recently heard. She didn't know the extent of the powers, having trouble mimicking Updike's voice when requested. Her blood work had also come back. "She has been doused heavily with a drug called Xorianvus, patented by TGG. We figure it's related to her memory but we won't know. All info regarding it is TGG classified. That said, we found it's half-life is a few months. It won't be out of your system till then." Displo had said. Nikku did note that she felt as if she knew more from last time.

With a test of a recorded voice it was found Nikku could replicate it, just not very well. Regardless, the team determined that if she spoke through a speaker on someone they could get deeper in the building.

Displo, through IRIS and S were not able to find anything about the so-called "Pontifex Room" that Updike had specified in the goals section. They did find that he 'Throne Room' was just located on the top floor but wasn't not accessible from the main elevator. According to S' recon the 'Throne Room' was accessible from a different floor. Though which floor contained that access, nobody knew.

Displo did however obtain an experimental headset IRIS had been working on. They were discrete microphones and earbuds that were barely visible on the holder. With a flick of the hand they could easily communicate through it, the flick appearing more like a twitch. "We will use these to communicate. It is called the Discrete Instant Secure Channels Over Radio Disturbance."

With Displo's speel completed he handed the 'mic' to S. He wanted to report his findings.

"Their network is a mess. So many fakeouts, false trails, mis-configured servers, shoot I can't even determine what system their server runs. It changes every time I look!" S complained. "It's not impossible to navigate but I'll need more time. It's getting boring to sift through all this BS."

"Is it encrypted?" Someone asked.

"Yeah, but like I can still read it. Nothing interesting. Just how many pencils Suzy in HR bought and crap. Urgh."

The final piece of intel came from Nikku. Using Tess' voice she described the prison. There were two places she described, one, a holding area and one, a prison.

"There were two levels, everything was purple, and we were each in these cells that had lasers. There weren't windows but I could see other prisoners across. There were no windows I could see. Just a video screen beside the bed we could look at." She said.

As she described the prison it became abundantly clear her jail could not have been the TGG building. At least, it could not have been that skyscraper.

You picked up on it first, deciding to ask Nikku. "Would you be able to provide us any details of where the prison would have been?"

Nikku shook her head.

"Hey, Nikku. How did you get out anyways?" Pomona asked. She stared at the hologram of the building, as if the prison would materialize on it.

"Yeah, how did you get out?" You ask.

"They had this attendant system. I waited till night then impersonated the guard and had the assistant release me. I forced it to take me to my ship and...I don't know. It just made so much sense. I launched out of the building."

"Interesting. That can be worked in, though it doesn't help us discern the location." Displo said.

"Walk us through the facility. Do you remember exactly where the building could have been relative to the main one?" You ask, pointing to the hologram. "Based on the location, it might be close enough that some tunnels or paths exist between the buildings."

"I-I shot up from the ground with the ship and flew sideways as I learned how to control it. I-I didn't see the building."

Displo during this line of questioning had been silent. Slowly coming to the same realization you had he understood. It took one final piece from Nikku's testimony for him to put it together. That and a quick search revealed the truth.

"That is because the building was hundreds of kilometres away." Displo finally said. He changed something on the hologram and it changed.

Instead of the downtown core, the map displayed a rural area, a major factory close by. Aside from the factory and a nearby highway there was nothing around but farmland.

Virtual smoke erupted from a nearby piece of farmland. At first you figured it was Pomona's farm but Nikku quickly released.

"This was it! I remember this place!" She said excitedly, but still practically whispering.

"Several days ago an industrial explosion was recorded late that night. Judging by your familiarity I presume this 'textile' factory is actually just another front for TGG."

"Oh."

"That would explain how you got from to Pompom's farm so fast." Kapi added.

"This means that incorporating the prison into ours designs is not a possibility."

"I-if we're going to do this I want someone to free the prisoners though."

"Are you mad?" Tabi asked. "I don't like these people any more than you do but a full on prison break? Are we even allowed to do that? And the place is so far!"

"I cross-checked the contract earlier today and they are operating on the assumption we do not know about this prison. It's not illegal per se but we would have to split the team to even pull this off." Displo said. He sounded unsure.

"Still. It seems kinda dangerous. Plus it seems too far from our main target." You say.

"I met some of those prisoners. Those people were innocent. I swear!" Nikku pleaded.

"I think we should do it!" Pomona said.

"Well we could probably move easier if the guards are freaking out about the prisoners." Kapi shrugged.

"I agree with Tab. Those guys are nuts. I should know, spent the better half of last night running from them. Even if we release them all who's to say that they won't just be gunned down by them." Agoti added.

"It would give them the reason to do so." You add. "I've seen prison breaks while I was a detective. It wasn't pretty. Though, most prisons have specific policies to deal with it. But even then." You pause, getting back on track. "This prison is so far from the main place they won't have the same teams. And we don't have the manpower to do it."

"It's not fair though!" Nikku protested. "They haven't done anything wrong!"

"I'm in agreement with Tabi and (Y/N). It's just too far out of the way. If we're successful maybe we could force them to change their ways, but splitting up the team is no good." Displo said.

Nikku grumbled, distressed that it was looking more and more like a impossibility.

"Maybe not a full on prison break but if TGG is anything like us then they would have some holding area for processing. Of course I can't confirm for sure, but if that were the case then freeing those newcomers would provide distraction." Displo added. "If we are successful I promise to make it a point to petition to have their prison conditions and existence challenged."

"Fine." Nikku said, accepting the state. "But I want to be front and centre for this. I want to make them pay." Nikku said.

"That will be considered." Displo said. As the hologram changed back to the TGG building an additional goal was added.

"Force Updike to change prison conditions."

"Should we worry about Updike intervening?" Tabi asked.

"No. He, nor any of the trio should be part of this."

"Good."

S spoke up again. "Anyways, I found something else."

"Their elevator system makes no sense. One set goes to like 1-5, and another 7-12. I can't figure out how to access 6 and 13. It's like they don't exist!"

"Well 13 is Updike's area. So he's probably got some secret way to access it. But 6...that's strange."

"Wait, six?" Agoti counted, trying to recall what he saw yesterday. "Yeah, yeah. When we were looking at the buildings one of the floors looked weird. Like it wasn't see-through glass but a mirror. I think that could've been 5 or 6."

"Interesting." You said. "Well it's the best lead we got."

Displo lit it up on the hologram. "Well let's assume that for now. We could have Tabi or Agoti make their way to the floor. We of course then need a keycard. S, do you think you could obtain one?"

S nodded slyly. "Of course! Let me see what I can do." He sat on top of the hologram building as if he were against.

Displo continued. "I had IRIS get in contact with a TGG employee who walked us through how the floors are structured. One is a small area with access to elevators. The other surrounds the first section but require keycards to enter. Based on our chat, keycards are given to employees only and the cards are locked to only be able to access certain floors."

"Pfft. I'll make my own card. Just watch!" With that S vanished, off to do more recon.

"There's also the matter of how to access that floor. I would assume through maintenance shafts or passages that access should be possible from 4 or 6. But to conventionally reach it? I don't know. We may have to brute force it, have everyone on each level looking around."

"So we split up? Works, I guess. We did that last time and they didn't get us all." Agoti said.

"You think if we park a car nearby it could help?" Kapi asked.

"How so?"

"Like, just sit by the building and watch people going in and out."

Displo shook his head. "The only things we need now is the Pontifex location and a way to get to Updike's room."

"Hrm."

"Why are we even doing this in the day? Why can't we do it at night?" Tabi spoke up.

"A good question, but I believe you already know the answer to that. You do recall the literal army they had on standby?"

"I guess."

"TGG has a special unit called the Nightstalkers. Long story short, dealing with them would require a great more deal of strength and the operation would be more like a war. They are not active during the day and that was not part of Updike's contract. We would be in grave danger should we attempt to-"

"Alright, I get it. Geez."

While the team had been discussing who goes where and does what, one person remained unassigned, having not said anything.

Huggy.

Pomona scratched the top of his head idly as she listened to everyone's conversation. It was only after he coo'd unconsciously that Pomona realized he'd been forgotten.

"Wait!" She said suddenly.

"What about Huggy?" She said, raising his head up. He lay on the ground, head in Pomona's lap.

"What can he even do that won't get him caught instantly?" Agoti asked.

"Indeed. For as useful as he is, I cannot see a situation wherein he is not arrested immediately upon exposure." Displo said.

"What if we handed him over?" Tabi asked, mostly sarcastically. At least, that was his intention, until Pomona spoke up.

"As like a distraction? Then we ambush them?" She asked, immediately forming a whole battle plan in her head.

"No, I mean like-" Tabi started to say but was interrupted by Displo slamming his hand on the table. "That's perfect! TGG has a hotline in which you can drop off 'abominations'. I could schedule one, meet with TGG employees then have Huggy ambush them."

"It was a jok-" Tabi started to say again but you interrupted him, picking up on Displo's train of thought.

"That would work. You guys ambush them, then I could disguise and get access."

"Fine, whatever. I'm not part of this 'ambush' team." Tabi said, giving up trying to explain his quip.

"I think I understand how this operation will proceed." Displo said. He changed the hologram, symbols of everyone appearing on it.

"In gist, every single person will make their way into the building by different means. Once in we will begin to figure out the locations of Updike's room and Pontifex. Slowly but surely someone will figure it out and we shall converge. I shall act as commander. If someone's close to finding the goal then I will order someone to cause a distraction. This way we can trial each floor and determine the best route for action."

"Wait. I have to go in?" Kapi asked.

"Unless you have another idea, then yes." Displo said.

"B-but I can drive. Let me be the escape vehicle. We don't have one yet." He said, voice creaking slightly. As if ignored until now, his anxiety came rushing back.

"I'm afraid not. That will be my part. After all. I cannot set foot in that place. As well, we need as many people to search the floors as possible."

"C'mon, there's gotta be something else." He said, worried. "Wait! I'm the one 'sposed to be in charge of Huggy right? Shouldn't I be part of that group?" He asked, recalling what he had decided back in the maze.

"Do you feel capable opening discussions with armed men? This people are ruthless." Displo asked.

"W-well. I don't see why we both can't do it. I mean, you're literally their enemy. Why would they trust you?"

Displo cocked his head, that fact having somehow escaped him. "I...very well. You shall join me in negotiations."

Kapi's ears perked up.

"But. As I and Huggy cannot enter the building it will be up to you to run in the cards and gear we steal. From then on you and (Y/N) to explore."

Kapi's ear drooped down.

You place a hand on Kapi's head. "You'll come with me. We'll stay together for the operation."

"Argh. Alright." Kapi mumbled. Much as he didn't want to be one of the front runners he figured it was something he'd have to face eventually.

"But next operation I'm doing the escape."

Displo nodded. "Fine. Next operation I promise I will do some fieldwork."

The plan slowly started to come together. Roles were assigned and plans drafted.

Though the meeting may have adjourned for the night everyone was back at it the next night.

With the school trip confirmed, the target date was officially made next Wednesday. Before then there were still a few small details to work out, namely the order of operations and small details.

S targeted two random people at TGG. A hiring manager and a random office clerk. The hiring manager made no qualms about their social media presence including posting selfies of themselves. You weren't sure how it didn't violate their NDAs or if TGG cared at all but it did provide a ton of intel.

For one you were able to deduce from their office space that their HR department was on the 4th floor (corroborated with the building Agoti and Tabi stood on during their attack). From there and with the approval of Dalia and Ayana they were hired through a backchannel and would be present on the premises on the event day.

As for the office clerk you figured they must have had some interaction with S prior as to why he focused so much on this person.

"So after I found them I started going through all their social media accounts, I found out he had a lot of 'secret' accounts. Really screwed up stuff, even for me! So I got into those and impersonated his dead relative and threatened to expose him if he didn't make a card with high access I would send out e-mails to everyone about what he likes."

"Jesus Christ." Everyone looked at S, a combo of disgust and awe that he saw no problem with what he did. He just looked happy, no doubt taking pleasure in what he did.

"Through a dead drop I forced another person to pick up the card and had it delivered here. I met them in VR. Lemme tell you what I did to them! You don't even want to kno-"

"We don't. Thank you for getting that." Displo said.

Again you were glad S was on your side. It was a stark reminder that despite his occasionally friendly gestures he is a monster, through and through. Either way, an extra security keycard had been obtained.

"He can't get out of there, right?" Tabi whispered to you. "I hope so."

As for the school trip S helped with that too. The school loved the idea, immediately requesting to join the program. Thanks to S it took a bit of fudging with the numbers but it was approved and on that day various classrooms would be getting a guided tour of the company on the day. And the trip needed parent volunteers. Amelia was the first one up. S had commented that a few other schools got 'accidentally' got rejected but didn't care in the slightest.

Static's class had been selected for the tour though Static refused to join. He said he felt unsafe stepping into that building after the threats he got from Updike. "Tell Uncle Displo good luck though!" He told Pomona just before they left.

"To recap. Here is the final version of the plan." Displo announced to a full room. The hologram lit spectacularly, lighting up as words "Operation Earthquake" exploded. The plan had taken far more practice and planning an Blindside had.

"The goals for this operation are to make it to Updike's throne room and/or make it to the Pontifex Room. An additional goal added is to try and force Updike to change the way the prison is conducted, per Nikku's suggestion."

"We do not know how to get into Updike's room or the Pontifex room. Additionally we are assuming the Pontifex room is Floor 5 which is inaccessible."

"Because of how decentralized the team is, in the event someone makes it close to the goal we may force you to cause a distraction or worst case surrender yourselves. I should add that if everyone can escape without detection the payout will be larger. Thanks to the police radio I will be monitoring all TGG communications and watch closely what security thinks of all the intruders."

"Neither I nor S's recon efforts had yielded any success in finding the location of the Pontifex room nor the route to Updike's room. The main job will be searching for it as each group works through."

"Tabi and Agoti will be window cleaners. I will 'order' a window cleaning. Tabi and Agoti will obtain a vehicle from Windowcleaners 4 Chumps, pretend to be the cleaners and work on the building."

"Dalia and Ayana will be part of the 'student outreach' program and will have an interview with a hiring manager during the morning."

"Myself, Kapi and Huggy will be part of a fake 'abomination' exchange in which the three of us will ambush the guards. From there (Y/N) and Kapi will disguise and enter as guards. I and Huggy will be waiting nearby for the escape."

"We have a 'safe house' I will be renting and commanding from. If you make it to the safe house you are considered 'escaped'. It is an apartment complex called Silverlight."

"Amelia and Pomona will be part of the tour group and make break away at any moment to search."

"We will all be communicating through the discrete channel sets I obtained. S will be around across the network able to jam or break locks. Don't forget any of you can directly call Nikku if you need her to do an impersonation."

"Finally, Nikku will be disguised and enter last. She will enter and proceed to whichever floor isn't covered. Her goal is to make it straight to Updike's room and use her power to confuse people. She will have S' super security key."

"And you better be careful with it!" S bellowed.

"Oh! I found TGG has the ability to shut down the network. And if that happens then I'm stuck with whoever called me last." S added.

You looked over the plan, impressed. It was far more coordinated than Blindside.

"Does anyone have any objections?"

A silence arose.

"Very well. Best of luck everyone."

Track 36 - Operation Earthquake, Part I - Tinker Tailor

"Well I feel like I'm gonna destroy this guy. C'mon. C'mon. Can't wait to start wreaking havoc!"


09:31AM.

These past few days had been spent practicing, planning, rehearsing and preparing. Last night was the final rehearsal. It was this or the highway. No more preparation. It had come sooner than you thought.

"The goal is to win our new team member and save the team from certain doom." Someone had said.

Everything in place and operational. Now time to begin. The sun shone brightly above, a thankful change from the rain of the past few days. Though cold from the mid-vestiges of spring it looked to warm up quickly.

At least it wasn't winter anymore. Looking back, this spring had been a steadfast one, with new friends, allies and enemies all appearing constantly.

Just like the last 'show' a small flag was given to each of the participants. This time, purple, the logo of the company emblazoned in gold on it. The guards were aware a 'concert' had been planned a week ago. Most of them had forgotten by now, adding the element of surprise. All they knew was that it was coming. The recent 'concert' by Nikusa heightened security though it had calmed down slightly.

The venue had sold out, 'fans' walking the building and 'opening acts' having completed their surveillance.

Before the 'performance' could begin there, the team needed one last roll call. Everyone ready and willing?

"Tabi, Agoti? How are you two doing?"

"Fine."

"All set here. Pretty excited too! This is gonna kickass!"

"Pompom and Amelia?"

"We should be arriving real soon." Amelia said.

"Wow, I've never been to this part of the city. So many high buildings!" Pompom said happily.

"Displo and Kapi. What's your status? And how is Huggy Wuggy doing?"

"Quite alright, thank you." Displo said.

"Yeah, Huggy's a bit antsy but ready. Still think I should drive but ehn."

"There will be plenty of time for you to drive, I am sure."

"I am still worried I must admit. If TGG does betray us then there will be hell to pay." Displo said sternly.

"Nikku?"

"Here. What exactly am I supposed to do anyways?" She asked, still using Tess' voice.

"Replicate voices, my dear." Displo chimed in.

"Fine."

There was a short silence as you checked through the list, making sure everything was in place.

"Forgetting someone?" S asked, annoyed. He warped to your phone, tapping his feet. He stood upon a stage, taking the theatrics most seriously.

"Yes, yes. S. How are you feeling today?"

"Well I feel like I'm gonna destroy this guy. C'mon. C'mon. Can't wait to start wreaking havoc!"

"Good luck everyone. The stakes are much higher here than IRIS. We cannot lose Nikku. And you better not lose my son." Solazar said before everyone split. Presently he observed, watching closely in case TGG tried to pull anything.

The words echoed in your head. This was going to be tough.

The children were the first group on the scene. Pompom, Amelia and the rest of her class. As part of the trip, a tour guide would be showing them various floors of the building, labs, what they did and the works. And with just a little bit of anti-abomination propaganda sprinkled in for good measure.

Now Playing...

Artist: Eugeni Martinez & Oscar Araujo

Song: Indoor 9

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6pqAd9dJug

Amelia, always the 'mythological' type found the entrance of the building quite fascinating. The entrance, large automatic doors, had a massive sculpture built into it. Surrounding the doors chiselled out of brass and stone stood a magnificent depiction of angels and demons battling it out all around the door frame. Much occurred in the image: angels wielding weaponry, demons wielding spears, winged and horned creatures, clouds and swirls all over. It could easily have been done in the renaissance era, with the detail it presented.

The piece looked more to be suited for museum, but its position at the entrance made the place quite foreboding.

"Our founder was quite an eccentric. Designed it himself. He was an extremely spiritual person." The tour guide said. It alone caught the attention of the kids who found it really cool, congregating around it. The tour guide had dressed as a tourist, Hawaiian shirt with cargo shorts, though it too cold for them.

"Please don't touch. You may photograph it though. Unfortunately the inside of the building isn't as striking but I assure you what we do here is just as cool!" The guide spoke professionally, lines having been rehearsed many times before.

"Oh and we maintain a strict no magic policy here. For your safety and ours please no spells, casts or rituals. We hold it to the same standard here as discharging a firearm so please, as we say here, the only magic allowed here are card tricks! Even small spells, we have ways of detecting, so please. No. Magic." The guide said with a smile.

"That won't be a problem. Nobody should be armed anyways. And, Amelia and Pomona know better than to egregiously expel magic around." Displo said through the comlink.

"You got that right." Amelia said through the comlink.

"That's the kind of attitude I like." The tour guide replied enthusiastically. Before the group could continue in inside, the guide proceeded to give a deeper spiel of the company, what to expect and what a fine day it was.

S broke into the Windowcleaners 4 Chumps database in no time. He performed misdirection, first pretending to be TGG and order a cleaning, then pretend to be Windowcleaners and respond to it. With the correspondence complete they would be sending and receiving, despite neither party knowing who started it.

"An east cleaning of the building is required today. Please send someone posthaste." S had sent from a fake TGG e-mail. The cleaners didn't notice it but nonetheless had agreed, sending a follow-up e-mail to the real TGG account approving it. It was to occur at lunchtime, but Tabi and Agoti were planning on showing up much earlier.

Currently, the two were at the Windowcleaner's HQ, hiding in bushes near the premise. A small, 2-floor building inside a larger parking lot. Security was scant, a few cameras around the building, a chainlink fence and nary a guard in site. The only things they had to worry about were other workers getting ready to be dispatched.

Once the coast cleared they jumped the fence, immediately eyeing one of the vans near the back of the lot. A typical work van, large exterior, no side windows and 2 seats in the front. The company logo splayed across the side of the van, phone numbers and other contact information below it.

With Agoti watching, Tabi knelt down and looked at the lock. He was no stranger to breaking into cars. Back home in Russia there wasn't always things to do. Screwing with old cars and lockpicks were one of them.

Using a few pieces of wire and a pair of pliers he 'borrowed' from work he got to unlatching the lock. He didn't consider himself a mechanic by any means, but believed he knew more than the average person.

Being so far in the lot the only people Agoti had to worry about were the neighbours. Due next to the lot was an elementary school. Just across from trees and a simple fence the lot collided into the school's playing field.

And the kids had just been dispersed to recess.

As Tabi began to jimmy the lock he didn't notice the small crowd of kids start to form. First one kid saw two strange men at the lot and as he watched he slowly started to realize. They were thieves! Cool!

Calling more friends over they all started to watch and cheer on the strange men clearing breaking into a van. Tabi just tuned it out. The only thing that could break him out of his trance was Agoti.

Agoti felt emboldened by the attention, sticking his tongue out and throwing thumbs up.

With a click the driver door opened and Tabi jumped in. He turned around to see Agoti engaging the kids, the kids encouraging it.

"What the hell are you doing?" Tabi spat, annoyed.

"Just having some fun." Agoti smiled.

Tabi shook his head and got to starting the van. They had no key, so wiring it was the only way. The van had been well used, the console having no problem popping off, no doubt the result of drivers kicking it in boredom.

As he started fiddling with the wires he couldn't help but notice Agoti now throwing poses at the kids, practically putting on a mini-concert for them.

"Can you actually be helpful?" Tabi said angrily.

"Don't be so uptight." Agoti said.

He went to the side of the van and opened the doors. They needed a uniform, the platform and all the gear. All were accounted for, having been left in the van. It even had a badge on the dashboard, thereby eliminating the obstacle of getting out.

With a bright spark the van engine roared to life, the kids cheering it on.

With how they acted and the happy faces, he couldn't tell if it was because they were watching a robbery in broad daylight or if it was because these kids had some history with this business. He wanted to ask, maybe throw up a few more signs but Tabi's glared told him otherwise.

With Agoti in the passenger side Tabi pulled out the van and got driving. Agoti threw up the peace sign to the kids who gave a raucous applause. Enough students had congregated to bring a teacher outside, only seeing a Windowcleaning van drive off.

"We're on our way." Tabi said to the comlink.

Ayana and Dalia were next on the scene. They had scheduled their interview for just after 10:00AM. They were to meet the hiring manager on the 3rd floor and be given temporary access to that floor. Ayana dressed casually. It had taken a bit of coaxing and assurance from Ayana that doing this wouldn't get Dalia blacklisted but she eventually agreed.

She, like Ayana was dressed casually. A black and neon blue t-shirt, black arm braces and gloves over her tanned skin. She wore black jeans with neon blue loops and belt on, as well as black and white running shoes. It was a modified version of her DJ outfit. She had considered masking up but decided against it, instead having her light brown mid-length hair flow freely. Ayana had to explain the mask wouldn't be necessary.

It didn't stop Dalia from coming up with a backup plan, incase case things got violent. She had hidden a small stick in her pocket. It was a simple cylinder, black and blue. It almost looked like a film case. If held by her in a certain way it would turn into a vicious scythe. A holdover and inheritance from her hometown of Apollo.

While Ayana said she'd have to give herself up if they got caught, Dalia refused stating they'd have to take her down first.

It caused a bit of a divide on the team, Displo, You and Kapi stating that the mission was not a raid but S, Pomona and Agoti agreeing that fighting back had to be allowed.

"C'mon. It's more realistic. A thief's just gonna give up? No way! They gotta come take me if they want a chance!" Agoti had shouted. "Especially if they're going to take us anyways!"

Ultimately Displo determined that if things did go south that fighting back would be allowed. 'They must strike first though.'

Confident and with patience they entered the building, going straight towards the security desk at the end. As they walked to, Ayana caught sight of Pompom and her class. She gave a wink back at Ayana.

It was a strange sight. Pomona hadn't been in such a corporate place. The closest being her community's town hall. But even that paled in comparison to the megalith of a building. So much more busy, people running about and things going on. The floor was open, a massive art piece sculpted into the floor below them.

It depicted various DNA strands, medical symbols and equations Pomona didn't recognize. Unbeknownst to Pomona and the others the piece had been designed as propaganda. It illustrated the difference between humans/anthros and 'abominations'. Of course, to the untrained eye it just re-enforced their appearance as a medical company. The tour guide re-enforced it, stating the strands were actually various medical formulae.

Hanging off the ceiling the lobby stood another peculiar art piece, a strange, possibly postmodern one. What it showcased had been lost on all but the sculptor. To the regular person it just appeared as a really simple depiction of angels using metal panels formed to crudely resemble them. It was also something Updike had planned to remove but lacked the justification.

Each piece of the angel hung from the ceiling, suspended by a single wire that hanging almost invisible from most angles. The only benefit it gave the place was at the right hour the sun's light would hit the brass-coloured pieces and give the whole of the lobby a dreary summer haze.

On the ground were various gates and desks, with some employees having the benefit of working on the ground. Nearby stood an in-house cafe. "One of the things we do here is take care of our employees. Run by TGG employees, this cafe is open to any of our workers who want a quick snack. Personally, I think every good company should provide for their workers."

And just as quickly as they children had seen it a line formed around it. The tour guide didn't mind much. It gave him ample time to try and find the cue cards he had misplaced.

At the end of the floor the ceiling lowered. It went around a circle of pillars, a design of angels and demons on the floor below. Ayana found it peculiar, the sight looking to appear better in a church. At the end of the circle sat the guard desk, elevators behind them.

"I'm here to see Iago in HR, we're the two candidates for the trainee position." Ayana said, approaching the desk.

The guard provided no introductions, instead placing a paper on the security desk. "Sign-in here." He said, barley paying attention to them.

It was a self-sign in form asking them to state a bunch of information. Ayana and Dalia signed it using their first name misspelled, but random last. While Ayana had suggested during the planning session to just put all fake information, you pointed out that they'd probably already have info on them since they were 'candidates'.

Filling out the form they handed it back.

"An escort will be with you shortly, Aiana and Dahlia." The guard said.

There were all sorts of people coming to and from the elevators, moving all about the floor. Nearly all had the same lanyards and badges. All were busy, not paying any mind to Ayana and Dalia.

The guard too, eyes focused on a series of monitors in front of him. With no 'escort' in sight, Dalia decided to see if she could get info. "So will we get passes?" She asked the guard as she leaned on the desk.

"..."

"Ahem. Keycards and lanyards." She said, knocking on the desk. "Are we gonna get them?"

The guard looked up annoyed. "You'll get it if the manager approves it. Now leave me alone." The guard said rather stiffly.

Dalia just rolled her eyes, leaning her back on the desk as she looked around. It was a far cry from the busy students on college and an even further cry from her EDM gigs, crowds of people just trying to enjoy the night. It gave her an aura of homesickness.

From behind the desk came 3 guards, assault weapons strapped to their back. They made no attempt to hide them, nearby employees around barely even noticing them anymore.

Pomona's class recognized them and were amazed, a series of "ooo's" and "ahhh's" emitting from the class still in line. It gave the perfect opportunity for the guide to talk about security.

"The ESCORT team is one of the primary security departments in our building. We have the front desk, ESCORT, the Nightstalkers and a few other units operating under our banner." The guide said enthusiastically.

One of the kids raised their hand. "Who are the nightstalkers?" One kid asked.

"Well you see..."

Amelia put her channel open, hoping you and Displo would be listening.

The guards were dressed in all black, the words ESCORT written on their back. They looked more like SWAT team members than regular corporate security. They even wore visors, goggles and masks concealing their identity. They spoke naught and motioned Ayana and Dalia to follow. It seemed very formal and secretive to Ayana but to Dalia, moreso boring.

She put her hand on the hidden scythe. "Just say the word Ayana. I'll take 'em all out and we wrap this up in the hour." She whispered to Ayana.

"I would rather you keep your jingoism to yourself Dalia. It is appreciated though." Displo said through the comlink.

While you, Nikku and Solazar remained in the safe house, Displo, Kapi and Huggy had departed already, driving in a plain van. The exchange was stated for a little after 10:21. It was about time.

IRIS had a hotline one could access about delivering or sighting 'strange creatures' (as they put it). It was common knowledge in IRIS that TGG had a similar system, though 'strange creatures' in their lingo meant 'abominations'. Both were tied to the police department, leaving you to find either a meagre task.

The exchange was to be made just next to the HQ, in the east building. Displo still didn't know what exactly the building was used. He just knew that was where TGG had agreed to have a meeting to handoff Huggy. Kapi had been listed as the 'concerned citizen', claiming he came into possession of Huggy and didn't know what to do with him. Displo was to be Kapi's 'legal counsel' and would be present. Neither used their real names.

It took a bit of convincing and explaining tens of times that they weren't actually handing him over. Huggy would be bound with a simple, poorly-tied rope. When Displo threw the signal, Huggy would break free and the 3 crewmates would ambush the guards.

Kapi felt a little uneasy too, these exchanges being entirely new to him. He felt happier his role would be less direct but still wished not to go undercover again. His depressive thoughts were cut short by Huggy whining quietly. Kapi just kept petting Huggy's shoulder as they rode. While Huggy believed they wouldn't be handing him over he couldn't shake the feeling they were just going to betray him.

They pulled into the underground parking lot, having gone down two floors. Having borrowed a van from IRIS, Displo drove in, Huggy in the back seat, Kapi in the passenger. Based on your suggestion Kapi had taken with him a bag of flour, hoping to blind them.

"How's it going? Getting a little bored here." You say through the comlink.

With most people in the field it left you and Nikku back at the control base, just a few blocks away from the building. You two sat, holed up in the top floor of an apartment Displo had rented briefly. With some IRIS technicians they had set up several monitors displaying maps, guides and locations. S had not been successful in penetrating their security camera system planting a worm, even with the initial exploit having been patched the next day.

Your police radio sat nearby too, silent from a lack of police activity.

Displo had promised to return here after the exchange with Huggy. Solazar sat in attendance too, having requested he be a witness again. Though unseen he was slightly more on edge, more worried about TGG than he was IRIS. He was also given a comlink and he wore it, listening in on the communications.

He sat next to the monitors on a high chair, slowly sipping tea. He refused to help, insisting that he wasn't a member. 'I am just an observer.' Agoti seemed a little relieved he wasn't actually helping, noting to Kapi later that 'things would have gotten real crazy if Dad was in'.

Pomona didn't understand Sol's presence, questioning why her mom was helping and not observing like Agoti's dad. Huggy didn't understand what Sol was either, having not seen a creature like that before. He just stayed away. Nikku as well saw Solazar strangely. Something about him seemed...familiar. When she asked him he just denied knowing her at all.

She thought she caught him starring strangely at her a few times but each time she looked he focused back on the cameras.

"We are arriving to the exchange. Putting on my POV right now." Displo said. One of the monitors changed to what Displo saw. In this case, just a road filled to the brim with cars. They were stuck in the last stragglers of the morning commute.

Other than the monitors the apartment was barren. You had brought a few toys from home to satisfy Huggy after he was finished.

Nikku just stared out the window at the traffic below while you were watching the cameras. She hadn't spoken much, not really trying to hold any conversations. So when she did finally speak up, it caught you off guard. Since Pomona had left she had switched to Pomona's voice, feeling that if she did it would be honouring her.

"So you're one of the ones who capture people like me?" She asked quietly, not looking at you.

"Huh? No. I'm a former detective, and current security guard. I've arrested people before, but like, not your 'kind'."

"Do you agree with what that man and the one who captured me do?" She asked. It took a second but she was referring to Displo as well as Updike.

"Displo just runs a restaurant. He doesn't do the whole 'capturing' stuff. As for Updike, no I don't agree with it. I've put all sorts of people in prison. But I only ever did if I had the evidence. You say you never did anything? Then yeah, I don't agree with it."

"Good." She said quietly.

"Plus, you've seen the rest of the team. There are barely any normal people here."

"I see."

Arriving on the scene now were Tabi and Agoti. Dressed in white overalls and high-vis vests they pulled up to the side of the building. It was the same side of the building they had witnessed during the reconnaissance. The very same one Nikusa had thrown a radiator through.

They figured it a good spot. After all, it had just been repaired. A good cleaning would do well. They waited for the traffic to die down before parking at the side. It was time to work.

With the spiels of the lobby done the tour guide promised to take them next to the second floor. "It is here where a lot of our medical research is done. Or as they say...here is where the real magic happens!"

Unseen to all, the 12th floor of the building was abuzz with activity. While each floor had security hubs, this particular one sat full of people watching monitors, carefully observing all movements in the building and around it.

A giant monitor occupied one of the walls entirely displaying a massive overview of the building. A team of 3 walked around everyone's computers, occasionally catching glances at the large one. These were the administrators.

A large sign atop all the monitors read, The Security Operations Centre.

They had already caught several people on the monitor. Though there wasn't much of note yet, all the people present were supposed to be there. Nobody stood out.

"So why do they need like, SWAT teams to escort?" Ayana asked the guards escorting her and Dalia. They stood in front of the elevators, waiting for one to arrive.

"..."

"You know, there's such a thing as taking your job seriously, then there's being an ass." Dalia said rudely.

One of the guards turn to face her, shoulders slumping. "Sorry." He said. "Just that, we're expecting something today. It's not personal honest."

"Like what?" Ayana asked. She rose her hands up. "I'm just a recruit. You can tell me whatever you want. I'll keep quiet."

The guard looked at the other two who just shrugged. "No it's just there was an attack recently, and now we're apparently being audited. At least, I think the audit's still on. It's been quiet." The guard said.

"Yeah, manager's not even in. Can't even reach the middle floor." Another guard spoke.

"What do you mean?" Dalia asked.

"Ehn, don't think you need to worry about it. Just that you need special access for the middle floor. Talkin' like, manager keycards. Nothing we got. But it's been all quiet from there. Really weird."

The comlink was open, Displo hearing everything. "Thank you Dalia. That is good to know."

"There's also that chick that keep stalking the building. Sent a few of my buddies to the hospital. She's nuts. She's got a lot of us on edge."

"Sorry to hear." Ayana said.

"WHAT?" Tabi shouted, hearing the conversation on the comlink. "God if she shows up, we're all screwed." He muttered. "Man I don't even know how we can take her on-"

"Be calm Tabi. If she shows up so do I. Relax and focus." Solazar said, breaking his silence.

"R-right."

"Yeah, well, long as you stay outta security you'll be fine." The guard said.

One of the many guards in the SOC monitored only the frequencies. It was a boring job but he liked it. He noticed one of the frequencies acting up, occasionally having some encrypted messages going through. He looked through the frequency map but the exchange was something else entirely. Unbeknownst to him it was the comlinks communicating with each other. With it only appearing erratically he figured it a glitch. He recalled what his professor had first told him. "You're being blasted with hundreds and thousands of radio waves every second. Radio, Wi-Fi, cellular and more. It makes finding a specific signal a challenge." He shrugged it off.

"Boss, what do you make of this?" Another SOC operative asked, pointing to Pomona on the camera.

The boss pulled out a huge paper, an itinerary of everything going on today. HE scanned the list for "GROUP OF CHILDREN", matching it with the school trip. "It's one of the students of that trip Greg planned. So what?"

"I think she might be an abomination." He said looking closely.

"What?" The manager looked closer. "That's a rabbit anthro. Clearly."

"I don't know. What kind Rabbit anthro has ears that big?"

"Have you even seen a rabbit anthro?"

"Course I have!"

"That's just a student and they aren't trying anything. Not every person that enters here is an abomination."

"Whatever."

With the area clear, it was time for Tabi and Agoti to start setting up. Inside the van they found a pair of hard hats and gloves which they now wore. Much as he didn't like it, Tabi ditched his hat, vowing to come back for it later.

Inside the van was a tool for reaching higher floors but with the sheer size of the lobby it became abundantly clear they needed something stronger.

Fortunately, it wasn't long until a guard was summoned to their location.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Following orders." Tabi said. He sat the edge of the van, fiddling with the weaker tool.

"We didn't order a cleaning."

"Then check again. We have the request right here." Tabi said, showing the e-mail briefly to the guard.

"You made that up."

"You accusing of us lying? We came all the way out, deal with car trouble. You don't want us to clean fine but we're still billing you for the day." Agoti shot back.

"Fine. Just wait a second." The guard said and disappeared back into the building.

Tabi shrugged and started assembling a bucket of soapy water, squeegees and brushes.

A few minutes later the guard returned, now accompanied by another person who walked with an aura of authority.

"Hold on just a second." The new person shouted. "I'm the manager here. We didn't order anything." Around their neck sat a lanyard on and they wore typical business attire. Everything about them, from even the way they stiffened their lip at Tabi's blue-collar appearance shown them to be a manager of some sort.

Agoti rolled his eyes. Tabi pulled out his phone again, displaying the request. Though it was fake, the manager did not notice.

"T-that's impossible. Hmm. Unless Darren called in for the repairs. Or it was that audit. Or even that secu-"

"60 an hour." Tabi said, interrupting the manager before he could finish his line of thought.

"Pardon?"

"And 500 for the trip today if you want to make us leave. Otherwise, we have a job to do." Tabi said uncaring.

"That's right. We did drive all the way out here." Agoti said, backing him up.

The manager scowled at them and pulled out his phone. "Let me actually verify something was sent." He said, starting to look at e-mails. Sure enough the e-mail, S having used some random employee he found to request it.

"Argh. Fox has no jurisdiction to summon a cleaning. Fine, whatever. You can do just her floor. That's 3F, if you didn't know." The manager said condescendingly. "We'll have the guards deploy the platform." He said, waiving the guard. "Now if you don't mind I have someone to write up."

The guard just looked at Tabi and Agoti. "Sorry about that, guy can be a jerk. I'll ready the platform." He nodded and went back inside.

"Platform?" Agoti asked Tabi. He just shrugged. "Ehn, maybe we can take it to the top."

"Hah, would be easy."

It took several minutes but the platform came down from above. A particularly queasy looking employee rode it from the top, clutching the bars hard enough to make their hands bleed, no doubt terrified of the height.

A large platform came down, made of thick red metal, hoisted from somewhere above with thick metal cables. As it reached the ground, Tabi saw a console on it.

As soon as it reached the ground she let go of the button and shaking, pushed the gate to get out. She nearly tumbled over, Agoti catching her.

"I don't know who sent you that request, but I swear it wasn't me. If only that stupid manager would've listened." She muttered.

Tabi just shrugged. Once safe they both got into it, leaving the sickly employee behind. "I need a minute." She said and took a seat against the wall of the building, trying to stop from throwing up.

They decided it would be best to follow the operation and start cleaning the third floor side, finding where Ayana and Dalia were getting interviewed. Once let in, start looking for those 2 floors.

Currently, Pomona and her class were on the 2nd floor. She caught a glimpse of Tabi and Agoti going upwards. She had almost waved to them but stopped, her mother intervening. The guide was currently showing them around the various labs, research bay and infirmaries TGG hosted.

"It's on this floor a lot of the really ultra cool stuff happens. From medical research to the study of unknown materials." He proclaimed enthusiastically. "If you didn't know we're actually also in the business of manufacturing generic drugs, er, medicine! For when you're sick..." The guide continued off his speech.

"Pomona, I appreciate you keeping your link open but please, not every detail is important to this break-in." Displo said through the link.

Watching out the windows, Kapi and Huggy saw everything turn dark. Displo had entered the underground parking, well on his way.

As their eyes adjusted they saw the sheer size of the lot. As Displo pulled in they entered a loading bay, one where trucks dropped off stuff. A concrete room with massive doors for trucks to back into. Atop one of the bay doors were two guards waiting idly. They waved Displo in who waved back.

"Get ready you two." Displo said to Kapi and Huggy. Huggy looked at Kapi with sad eyes. While it had been explained many times he still didn't feel like it was true.

Kapi shook his head. "It'll be alright. I promise." He put his hand on Huggy again, trying to ease the creatures worry. "You know the signal?" Huggy nodded. "Good boy."

"Remember the plan." Displo said as he pulled the car into park. He stepped out of the vehicle.

"You're Foda, correct?" One guard asked. He stood up and jostled his gun around, getting ready for anything.

"I am his legal attorney. My name is Eric. Eric? If you will." Kapi waved his arm out of the van. I presume you are ready?"

"That's right." The guard kicked the other one who was still lounging around.

The other guard got up. "Geez. Well is it secure at least? Not really up for a firefight right now."

"Very. If you would please give me a hand." Displo said.

One of the guards snickered. "So what're you supposed to be anyway?" He asked, eyeing up Displo as he led them to the back of the van.

"Do not concern yourself with what I am." He said. "I assure you I am just a regular citizen and Mr. Foda's legal representative."

"Whatever."

As they went around, Kapi remained seated, one hand on the four bag. He gave Displo thumbs up, just as Displo stepped out the van.

Displo had explained to them many different scenarios depending on how many guards were to be for the exchange. With two present and no reinforcements visible they went with the real exchange.

The van doors swung open and the guards trained their guns on Huggy.

"What the hell is this supposed to be?" As quietly as he could Kapi opened the passenger door and started creeping around the side.

Huggy looked at them solemnly, desperately trying to hold back his rage. The guards reminded him exactly of the same people he used to see back at the factory. His face, originally showing sadness and anxiety started to change to anger.

Not looking at his surroundings enough Kapi accidentally clipped the side of the van, immediately alerting one of the guards. He trained his gun to the side.

"Now!" Displo said.

Kapi jumped from the side of the van alerting the guards. He threw handfuls of flour at them, white clouds dispersing in the air, settling around their goggles.

Huggy likewise lunched, easily throwing both guards against the wall. Displo moved quickly as well, taking care not to damage his clothes and disarmed them as Huggy grabbed each by the throat.

He slammed them against the wall again and again hissing, until both Kapi and Displo forcibly held him back. He dropped the guards, both slumping to the ground, unconscious.

Alive, but out cold.

You watched the display, surprised at Huggy's sudden snap. Either way the ambush was successful. Kapi and Displo got to looting them of their gear and cards.

"You're a beast!" S declared on the link. "That was awesome!"

Huggy crawled back into the van with the help of Kapi, the catboy congratulating Huggy. With the stuff secured they could easily impersonate the guards. That just left Displo to tie up and bind the unconscious agents.

Displo moved the bodies to where they were seated earlier.

But as he did something else happened.

The sounds of several guns cocked and a red dot were what Displo saw first.

"I had no idea you could be such a thug." A familiar voice said.

Displo looked up to see a man standing, wide as a door frame, dressed in a white suite, looking like a cloud.

Updike.

Track 37 - Operation Earthquake, Part II - State of Emergency

"Look, you play games right? Just think of it like a strategy game."


Displo dropped the two agents. "This is a blatant violation of the contract and you know it." He said sternly.

"Is it? I am present at all abomination exchanges regardless of audit occurring. That is policy." Updike said. He jumped off the bay landing on the ground, a loud thud heard. He stood surrounded by several animatronics, drones and guards, all armed, more presumably behind in the bay. "Perhaps you should have done your research more. We assume the highest level of threat from any abomination exchange. This means having one of trio, guards, an army on standby."

Kapi had been sitting in the back with Huggy complimenting him for helping out. Hearing some commotion outside, he crawled to the front of the van and peered out the window. As soon as he saw the guards he ducked, no idea what to do.

"Speaking of which. That abomination you brought would make a fine addition to our research teams. And why did you make the drop-off. Surely you didn't come here to pretend-give yourself up?"

"I did. After all, do I not meet the criteria? In the interest of the operation I am here by myself with said abomination." Displo said, pretending Kapi did not exist.

"So you were going to bully my guards then what? Have one of your cronies disguise and get in? That's a stupid plan, especially from an intellectual such as yourself." Updike said, annoyed.

The lights flickered above. The bots didn't even react; Updike had more of a reaction to it.

"Perhaps that was my plan. Then what?" Displo said. He starting to feel anxious himself, unsure if Updike really was betraying the operation or he had just overlooked a detail.

"Well you should surrender your flag, your van and then Nikku at your earliest convenience. May as well give up. I doubt the rest of your cronies could succeed without you."

Updike took a step forward. "Unless...of course you want to trigger a war between my people and your people. I'm not against that either."

"I will surrender my flag in due time. But I still have two tricks up my sleeve." Displo said.

"Don't worry man I got you!" S said through the comlink.

Unseen, S jumped from Displo to one of the bots. One of them had four arms, saw blades on each. S saw it as an enticing pick.

As it's lights turned red, Udpike just smirked. "Deploy the Wireshark." Updike said, not even reacting.

A burst of white light flashed in the room, Displo flinching and Updike not reacting. As it faded the robot S had jumped into slumped over.

"What the hell? I can't move! YOU BASTARD!" S shouted from the different robot.

This one hovered in the area, a cylindrical design. It had a small screen on it that contained a very angry S on it, himself pounding on the screen.

"How did you-"

"You had him snoop our network. You think we wouldn't notice that? My people were able to identify his signature."

"Interesting." Udpike said. The robot flew to Updike, landing in his arms. "I had figured you had an 'unseen' member. A being of pure data? Fascinating. I would like to add the surrender of him as a war goal if you don't mind." Updike said.

"WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE. I SWEAR-" Updike pressed one of the buttons and the bot went silent. It hovered away, into the bay.

"I must admit, I had no idea that would work. To think he travels in packets, all it took was a simple packet capture and signal jam to trap him. You can thank our netadmins here for figuring that out."

Displo's legs started to shake. This wasn't looking good. S had been neutralized.

"Consider him surrendered for now. Displo, if you would please present your flag now. This needn't get any uglier."

"You're not the only one who has goodies you know." Displo said, his confidence fading fast. His voice cracked a little upon speaking.

"Oh? Then please, do your best."

"GET OUT OF HERE. TAKE HUGGY. COMMAND THE MISSION." Displayed on Kapi's phone. A message sent from Displo.

"My n-name is an acronym and the I and L, O in my name refer to Low, Orbit and Ion, respectively."

"No way. Absolutely not. IRIS, no, you would never do something so IGNORANT." Updike stomped forward, hints of anger trailing in his voice.

Another message came through, Kapi, still trying to comprehend what Displo was doing. "SOON AS I FALL. DRIVE."

"A-and you see.." Displo, stepped back, and moved his sleeve up, exposing some wires.

"You realize exactly what you're saying right? You'd knock yourself out, just to save what? Some stupid creature in the van?"

"And in the event of an emergency I was told to deploy this. They called it a LOIC. Officially, the Low Orbit Ion Cannon."

"YOU WOULDN-"

Now Playing...

Artist: Jon Holland

Song: Mesmerelda

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eRgWQ896Bk

Displo pressed something and there was a blinding light and deafening sound. All the robots were blown away and Updike thrown against the wall.'

Huggy saw the initial blast, emitting some guttural roar upon seeing it, the light blast stunning even him.

The guards around Updike were thrown back, many reeling from the intense flash of light and blast Displo unleashed.

Kapi knew to avoid it and, like a flash bang, he ducked. Displo slumped to the ground, drawing his flag just as passed out.

Displo had been neutralized.

"Comlinks Displo and Kapi have been disconnected." A robotic voice read through the links, echoing to everyone.

"You have more guts than I thought." Updike struggled to get up. The robots were all down as well, lights above having been shattered too.

Kapi quickly turned the keys and the van roared to life.

"So there is another. Figured. That robot wouldn't do something so stupid without purpose." Updike said, coughing. He snapped his fingers.

Guards started to pour in from the bay doors in place of the bots.

Kapi's driving instinct took over and he swerved the car around driving towards the exit. As Kapi drove off to the sound of gunfire it left Updike surrounded by guards.

From above the room descended an angelic being. He spoke with arrogance and humour. "Smooth moves weatherboy." The voice rang out.

"Shut up Abott. Get back to your post or help me clean up this mess."

"I think I'll get back to my post." He said with a wink and vanished.

You couldn't believe your eyes. Displo's feed went black. They had gotten him. The words SIGNAL LOST read on the screen.

"Holy sh-"

"What happened?" Pomona asked through the link.

"Please tell me that boom was Nikusa." Tabi bellowed into the link. He had heard something from his position outside.

"Not sure yet. Proceed as usual." You say in to the broadcast reaching everyone. You had seen the whole thing and were still processing it. Kapi's link had been taken out too, leaving his and Huggy's fates uncertain.

He drove as best he could. Displo's blast had taken out power in the entire building, leaving a pitch black parking lot. Driving, all he could rely on were his cat eyes and the van lights. Even then, between panicking and guards no doubt chasing and opening fire on them he scraped a few cars.

Not to mention the blast fried Kapi's comlink and van's radio. Everything was offline. Huggy was stunned, on the floor of the van, trying to process the light and Kapi's stunt driving. He slid around, hitting the walls as Kapi recklessly drove.

As the van swerved he saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Pressing on the gas he prayed no cars were on the street.

With Kapi's fate unknown you dialled him, and he picked up instantly. Kapi's phone, having rebooted had just finished turning on when the call came through.

"WHAT DO I DO?" He shouted.

"Get to the base!" You shout.

He exited the garage, going a strong 70km/h. He narrowly hit a car, the driver hitting his horn to watch it. Kapi swerved right, entering the other lane by accident. Traffic was on his side as it was now that low energy period in-between the morning rush and lunch breaks.

But the high-speed chase was sure to attract police. You find yourself about to dial S but then remember. With the team confused you take charge.

"Okay. Here's the update." You say into the comlink. "Displo and S are out. Guards think it was just them acting alone. You all need to proceed as usual and keep to the mission. I..uh...I'm working on the plan."

Ayana, Dalia, Tabi, Agoti and Pomona weren't sure what was happening or why Displo and S were out. It shown on Ayana's face, a look of concern. She touched her ear, where the link was hidden.

"Is something the matter?" The manager asked. They had been escorted and now found themselves in the manager's office, answering various questions.

"No...just, I, I think I left the stove on." Ayana said slowly.

"Don't worry, Aya, I checked it right before we left." Dalia said, backing her up.

"I see...You two are roommates?" The manager said.

A rush of feet behind them caused the them to look back. A few guards had bolted from their positions and were converging elsewhere.

Pomona too saw the sudden increase of security. Other children became curious and, interrupting the guide, quickly pointed it out.

"Well you see, sometimes we conduct drills here. This is likely one. We need to be able to protect our building. Did I mention we're sometimes a security company?"

One of the guards stopped running just as he passed the guide. "It is?" The guard asked, nearly tripping over himself.

Not wanting to look incorrect in front of the kids the guide spoke up. "Y-yep!"

Up above Tabi and Agoti had started cleaning windows, using the platform to manoeuvre around and look inside. So far they had no luck but they were about the 4rd floor now, having skipped the 3rd. They had no idea if they were doing a good job, not like it even mattered.

The security convergence was not unseen to Tabi and Agoti either.

From atop the platform they looked down to see a bunch of guards move on their van. One of them smashed the front window and tossed a smoke grenade it. As the van erupted in smoke the guards smashed the lock on the back opening it, all guards aiming at it.

Tabi and Agoti looked down, bewildered. Had they figured it out? Tabi thought. He briefly considered smashing through the glass but stopped upon seeing what happened next.

Another guard ran up to them, shouting something about it being the wrong van. Agoti could hear him practically screaming his throat out that they missed it.

A few guards looked up, Tabi and Agoti quickly resuming their job, pretending to have seen nothing. Peering below, Tabi could see the guards move away, back on the hunt. If there something was going down it would be better if they weren't seen.

"What the hell was that?" Tabi asked through the link.

"I don't know. I think maybe they got you guys confused with Kapi?" You had too much on your mind at the moment, trying to steer Kapi in your direction. Why hadn't he had been watching the driving? You think annoyingly.

"God I hope she doesn't show up." Tabi said, dipping his brush into the soapy water.

"Don't jinx it. Say, you think this window's clean enough? Can see my own reflection in it. Lookin' good." Agoti said as he wiped the window down.

"How are you so relaxed right now?" Tabi asked, putting the brush down. Between Displo and S getting blown out and guards everywhere he was a little perturbed.

"Just go with the flow. Plus, Nikusa...You know I've been thinking about it, she's nuts. But I don't actually think she ever tried to kill us."

"Are you high right now?"

"Hear me out. The other day she was just chasing us. She was more peeved about the guards interrupting her than us."

"She's a psychopath. Are you just gonna ignore that she imprsoned you in the void? Or the hundred other problems with her?!" Tabi looked at him sideways, unsure if the person in front of him was even Agoti.

"Well, she was only doing that at the request of the family. Plus. I wasn't in any actual danger there." Agoti shrugged. "Heh, other than dying of boredom I guess."

Tabi's eyes narrowed, the flames shortening. "You like her don't you?"

Agoti grinned.

"You're sick you know that?"

"Hey you had a crush firs-"

Tabi rocked the platform, causing it to sway in the air uneasily.

"Alright, alright. Don't kill us."

A ding rang off in the manager's room. He had received an e-mail. "Hold on a second, hun." He said as he looked at it, cutting off Ayana. He sighed. "We're gonna have to hold off on this. I have a quick meeting to attend. I'll be back in 20 minutes. Stay here." He got up and quickly left without so much as letting Ayana or Dalia respond.

"This guy's such a jackass." Dalia commented. "You sure I can't just tear things up? I'm itching for a fight."

"No, although I do have an idea." Ayana said, eying the window.

While most of the windows across the building were industrial, no-open windows the one in the manager's office was different.

There were just 'normal' windows. They had the ability to be swung open.

"Tab, where are you guys currently?" Ayana asked to the comlink. She got up and went to the window.

"5th floor. Nothing much here. We can't see inside."

"Well, come to the 3rd. I can let you guys in if you want."

Tabi looked to Agoti. "That'll work."

Dalia got up too, bored of the mundane questions. She noticed the manager had left his keycard on the desk. "We got a card too."

"That'll really work then. Open it."

Seeing a window pop open below, Tabi lowered the platform, careful not to smash it.

"Should we just leave the platform here?" Agoti asked. There was a button to send it to the bottom. "Yeah. Let's say we went on lunch."

As Ayana helped them in, Tabi pushed the to-floor button and the platform disappeared out of view.

It felt good to be back on solid ground.

"You sure this a good idea, Aya?" Dalia asked.

"Ehn, we'll just say they had a medical emergency or something. So we let them in for some air."

Dalia shrugged. "Alright. We'll do it that way." She tossed the keycard to Tabi. "I'm gonna go see if I can loot some more manager cards."

"Are you sure that is a good idea, Dal?" Ayana asked.

"Pfft. These are HR people. They ask what I'm doing, I'll just hit 'em with a comp-sci topic. And that I'm part of IT. What are they gonna do? Tell me I can't invert binary trees here?"

"Noted. Let's get to work."

Kapi's driving had been moderately successful. He managed to lose a bunch of cars back at the main building having raced around. In the confusion they somehow got lost. Despite that, Kapi's brief run of confidence was ended when he smashed into a building two blocks over. He had been glancing at the rear mirror laughing that they had lost him.

You merely screamed to him to get up and move on foot, that guards were nearby. No doubt cops too. With Huggy back in action they ran, swinging from telephone-pole and rooftop as Huggy held both Kapi and the loot in a gym bag.

It was quite a sight, no doubt netting them more attention. But it didn't last long as Huggy swung to the top of one building, running rather awkwardly as you directed him and Kapi.

Before you knew it, Kapi had crawled in one of the windows, Huggy jumping in after, startling Nikku.

"What the hell happened in there!? Are you alright?" Were the first words to come out of your mouth. You knew the answer but with how fast everything was going even you weren't making sense.

"We lost Displo. S! I-i-i" You saw Kapi's fur stand on end briefly. A sharp pain echoed through the cat boys back and he fell on his bum, breathing quickly. He was about to cry, no doubt having held everything in just to get here.

"Deep breathes man. Calm down."

"Is he dying?" Nikku asked monotonely.

"He's not. Just get him a cup of water." It was plain the guy was having a panic attack.

Huggy wasn't sure what to do about it, or even what was happening. In his mind, Kapi was having a seizure or dying! He pulled him tightly giving him a hug.

As Nikku handed him the water you check the duffle bag. Two sets of uniforms. Solazar watched the scene bemused, otherwise not saying anything.

You grab one and head to another room to put it on, ordering Nikku to do so already. S and Displo may have been out, but the show must go on. With Kapi and Huggy back at least someone could watch the monitors and police radio.

"Can I get an update?" Dalia asked. It had been radio silence on their end as you tried to get Kapi to safety.

"Just a second." You enter back into the room, now fully disguised as a TGG guard.

Kapi looked to be a bit better, though if Huggy squeezed him any tighter they're would have been other problems.

"Alright Kapi. Nikku and I have to go in. You need to direct. Just watch the monitors, tell us if you see or hear anything. We all know what we're doing. Just pay attention."

"WHAT?" As if the guy hadn't been through enough you had to throw more tasks on him.

"We've got no other options. Unless you and Nikku want to go in but I don't think that's a good idea."

"Y-you can't be...I can't do that!"

You put on the helmet, and your eyes adjust to the goggles. Nikku does the same thing, but leaves her baseball cap on top of the helmet. It was a bit small for her but she managed.

"W-what about him? Can't he do it?" Kapi asked, pointing to Solazar.

Now Playing...

Artist: Eugeni Martinez & Oscar Araujo

Song: Atmo 9 / Outdoor 1

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIMS5MUrmiE

"This is your operation not mine. And as I said, I am not a member. I am not allowed to help." Sol said, still drinking his tea.

You kneel down and put a hand on Kapi's shoulder. "Look, you play games right? Just think of it like a strategy game. Don't worry. Nothing will happen to us. Remember, just as Displo said, this is a performance." You try to muster up whatever words of encouragement you had.

Kapi took it in, but he still looked like he was on the verge of tears.

"You got this man. I promise. You're gonna make us all proud."

You get up and look to Huggy. He had a hard time recognizing you. "Huggy. Keep him safe." You say.

With no way to back out Kapi sniffled and looked at the console. He wiped his eyes, tears watering. He cleared his throat. "Testing. Can you all hear me?" He asked into the link.

"Loud and clear!" Pomona responded back first, the outburst no doubt drawing a few eyes in her class.

"I'm in charge. J-just, everyone continue what you're doing." He said, voice shaking. It was now time to figure out what all these monitors meant. You had turned on the police radio, keeping the volume lower, just enough for Kapi to hear.

The initial reports of Huggy's sighting at started to come through. Police had been alerted of a high speed chase, singular vehicle crash and possible street race.

"Is he gonna make it? Can we just leave him?" Nikku asked as you two bolted down the stairs.

"I don't know. But we don't have time to spare. He can manage his own."

"That's not fair to him."

"Yeah, well it's not fair what happened to Displo. We just have to deal with it."

"Hmph. You're just like the guards in that prison."

You felt bad for Kapi, but with the operation in swing he was safe. That was all that mattered right now. There was little time for debating ethics.

Outside the scene there was heavy commotion. Between armed units running through the streets, a crashed van and some 'monkey-like' creature running chaos reigned. A black pick-up truck drove by witnessing you and Nikku exit the building.

"You got any visuals?" Someone shouted at you and Nikku. Turning back, you couldn't help but instantly tense up upon seeing who it was. It was a man in combat armour but he wore a full helmet. Stylized after the front of a train it hide all his features, instead showing a series of gold bars and cross at the top. He was one of the triumvirate, though you couldn't recall his name. Considering Updike was up and running around you weren't surprised the rest of the trio were about.

"Find wha-" Nikku was about to ask but you nudge her.

You shook your head. "Nothing in this building. All clear. Landlady says they went that way." You say, pointing away from the buildings general direction.

Jumping off the building something landed on the street, startling a few drivers around. It was Updike, now atop a steed. A robotic tiger, eyes a bright red. Despite being made of metal, it still had fur that shined brightly under the sun. Updike rode it.

The sheer impact knocked Nikku onto the ground, knocking her hat off too.

"You two, be useful. What did you see?" Updike asked.

You keep lying, not even wavering in his appearance. "They were fast. Monkey-like abomination, blue. One anthro with him."

Nikku remained silent, not expecting to run into Updike so soon. She anticipated a showdown in the throne room, big speech and all. But when she tried to yell at Updike, nothing came out.

"Curious. More stragglers. Very well. Scope 'em out. Sterling. Take these two and make your way back to command. See if that robot has awoken yet. Tell him to remember the boundary." He ordered you, Nikku and the other leader. You recall Displo mentioning there was a perimeter to the operation and that under no circumstances would you leave it, less the operation forfeited.

"And you." Updike pointed down at Nikku. "Compose yourself immediately. This is an attack on all of us, not a drill." Updike commanded and jumped off.

"That's right." The masked man agreed. "You two, head back to base, reconvene with Squad 6. Ordered." With that he flew off, wings carrying him back to TGG's HQ.

After Updike had left, Nikku found her, or rather your voice. "S-screw you!" was all she muttered, angry she didn't attack him. "DAMMIT!" She shouted and got up. "I had my shot!" She shouted.

"What?" You ask, confused by Nikku's sudden mood switch. "I could have taken him out." She muttered.

"How? Wha-"

"I-I don't know but I didn-"

"Look we don't have time for this. Let's go."

"Get in! We gotta go!" The guard in the pickup said, hitting the side of the door.

You and Nikku jump onto the back of the truck. You noticed that despite being in disguise, Nikku had a backpack on. You tried to recall what she needed it for, if it were even discussed.

You also knew it was now a matter of time until Sterling returned to Displo and forced him to give up other member locations. He had even planned for that. "If any of you are caught, give up each person one-by-one until all are caught. But do it slowly and only in half-hour intervals. Ignore all threats they lob at you."

You thought it a preposterous scenario at the time, but now it looked more and more true.

As you and Nikku road, she opened her bag to inspect its contents. You were close enough to see inside. You couldn't believe it.

"Are those that breaching charges? Wha, where the hell did you get that?"

Inside her backpack were a series of breaching charges, brown packages, wait, C4? Where the hell? Nevermind how she got it, you were starting to worry. Was it live? Could it have exploded earlier?

"S and I stole it the other day. We got it from a museum." Nikku said.

"D-did Displo know?" You were aghast, surely he had to know.

"Yes. But he said to only use it in emergencies. You saw what they did to me. What they want to do to Huggy. I can't let this go unabided."

Your eyes widen. You don't know if she intended to suicide bomb or blow up the entire damn building. Either way she had become the most dangerous person on the team.

"God I hope you know how that works."

"I'll figure it out."

You were in disbelief. "Nikku. With all respect, we need a demolitions expert for this or something. You do that and we're all dead."

"I can survive bombs. They've done worse to me." She muttered.

"A-alright. But do it away from me." You couldn't find the words to argue with her. She was planning on killing Updike, or at the very least causing widespread mayhem. It must have been S' idea. You compose yourself, and continue arguing with her, or at least trying to make sure she didn't kill innocents.

Tabi, Agoti, Ayana and Dalia had agreed to split up somewhat. Despite already losing two members they hadn't the faintest idea where the Pontifex Room or Updike's room were.

They were at least successful in stealing more keycards. Dalia's excuses worked, managers not questioning why IT needed their cards or why they didn't recognize them.

Ayana was also successful in acquiring a pass, finding it quite easy to say she was lost, using seduction as an art and having someone 'lend' her a card.

In Agoti's instance, he had run into a fan. He made the excuse of filming a video in the place but first needed to scope it out, readily admitting he snuck in. Though the fan knew nothing of the Pontifex Room or Updike's room, he recalled that '8F always had weird stuff going on. But it's where the Nightstalkers hang out and those guys are just weird.' He had lent Agoti a card as well.

Dalia had given Tabi a card and Tabi quickly split from the main group after.

"Yo, take a look at this." One SOC operator said to another. They were monitoring cameras on the 3rd floor.

"Who are these people? I have no record of them in the database." He said. The camera showed Agoti and Ayana together on the 3rd floor, talking to someone.

"Oh that's one of the window cleaners. And that's one of the trainees."

"Weren't there two cleaners?"

"Yeah, I don't like this."

He picked up the phone and dialled the 3F security. "This is operator ISO-27001, requesting someone go investigate two suspicious individuals. Most unique, black tentacles, race unknown, wearing a high-vis vest. Possible abomination sighting."

"On it." Someone said from the other line.

"Excuse me." A guard said, approaching Agoti and Ayana.

He stopped upon seeing both were wearing keycards.

"What's up?" Agoti asked-.

"You don't have access here. Who gave you ability to enter?"

"Oh, well you see. My partner got sick outside so we got let in from the window. Agoti said.

The guard's eyes narrowed. "And how did you get it open?"

"I opened it. They were knocking on it. He was going to be sick. I'm Ayana, one of the students." She said and held out at hand.

The guard didn't acknowledge it. "Well, we maintain a strict security policy. For future, do not let anyone in. And where did you get that card? And where is your partner too?"

"He's in the washroom. Or he's started heading down already. Her manager gave me his card." Agoti said, keeping the innocent facade up.

"Argh. That fool. Alright. Carry on. Please leave as soon as possible. We are in a dangerous situation right now."

"Sorry to hear. What's going on?" Ayana asked,

"Nothing I can legally speak of. Hurry up and finish your business. It might get ugly here." The guard said, deadpan.

Agoti and Ayana nodded.

As the guard stepped away he spoke into his headpiece. "3F reporting. It's nothing. Just people being too courteous."

"Noted. But keep an eye on them. I don't like it."

So, with relative access over the building they went their own ways. Agoti, now fully embracing the whole celebrity shtick, asked Ayana to shadow him as his agent. Even had her steal a clipboard and pretend to write stuff down as they walked.

Dalia and Tabi decided to go their own way, Tabi wanting to get this over with and Dalia silently hoping she could get caught to stir stuff up.

Pomona's class had now reached the third floor, the guide giving them a tour of the various HR departments. "Are you kid's familiar with how HR departments work? Well let me tell you.."

While Pomona had started to get bored from the lack of action, Amelia found the whole thing very interesting, further delaying the tour by asking questions.

Pomona caught sight of the four leaving and tried to call out to them, only to be silenced by her mother.

After getting on an elevator Agoti, Ayana, Dalia and Tabi all went their ways.

Tabi went to the ground floor, planning to head for the 10th floor.

Dalia went to the 8th floor. Bored out of her mind she wanted a shot at these 'nightstalkers'.

Ayana and Agoti went to the 4th floor. Intel had called it a common security floor, but also contained divisions known as 'cloud services' and the 'cybersec' division. Once they had exited 3F, security let them be, figuring they were leaving.

You and Nikku had arrived and telling the driver you were going to go do a sweep of the floors with Nikku, made your way to the building. You found it astonishing nobody had stopped either your or Nikku. After checking in with the crew you decided to go to the 12th floor. Nikku said she had an idea to get to the top. You hoped it didn't involve several pounds of explosives.

Track 38 - Operation Earthquake, Pt. III - Jailbreak

"Best case scenario he gets shot."

The elevator doors opened and Agoti and Ayana stepped into the 'security centre', 4F. As Agoti thought about it the 5th floor was still inaccessible. There's gotta be some way up from here. He thought.

Had the guide not been derailed the class should have already been on the 4th floor. Regardless, Pomona's class were about finished the 3rd floor and would be entering shortly.

Agoti and Ayana looked around, taking in the unique officespace. It had a different design than the previous ones. While windows were present, the office space was tinted blue, black walls separating parts of it, green lights pulsing through them. Agoti tried walking forward only to find the elevator lobby area was surrounded by glass walls. There didn't seem to be anyone around and the floor was relatively quiet aside from soft typing of the keyboard and a low hum from some fans.

Now Playing...

Artist: Manabu Namiki

Song: Battlefield - Cisco Town

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Gnv7i5T80

It looked extremely futuristic. Even the cubicles looked cyberpunk from the neon blue glow atop the walls and blue light lights from the ceiling.

Ayana picked up that it was colder here too.

Had Displo been still around he would have explained the reasoning for the colder atmosphere, that it wasn't just an aesthetic.

"The hell is this place?" Agoti muttered as he walked into the wall, feeling it for some unseen door knob.

"They said it was the security floor. Weird." Ayana said. They looked around. There was a small machine on the wall in the corner. While it looked suspended in air it was really just attached to the wall. It had a red light atop it.

Figuring it was the door, Agoti tried his keycard on it. It beeped and the colour remained a solid red. Ayana gave it a shot and it dinged, the sound of a door opening somewhere, though with the lack of glass visibility they couldn't tell where or what opened.

This was going to be confusing.

The buildings front doors opened, you and Nikku went inside. While the driver had asked earlier to check on Displo you told him it would be better if you and Nikku swept the building.

Plus, with Updike ready for Displo, you wouldn't be surprised if he was expecting you or someone else to try and free him. Nikku asked him about other prisoners but the guard knew nothing. You could tell she was concerned about S.

Despite S and Displo's fall everything was operating smoothly.

"(Y/N), Nikku. Can you guys make your way to floor 11? It's not currently being investigated. 11F should be the guard's hub and finance. Take the second elevator." Kapi said through the comlink. His voice still sounded a little shaky but he slowly resumed control.

"We need to go to 12F though. I know how we can get to the top." Nikku said through the comlink.

"Either or. G-good luck." Kapi added hastily.

"Got it." You said.

The SOC still watched closely.

"That other cleaner. The demonic bony guy. I can't find him in the perimeter nor the building." One of the SOC operatives said.

"Put out a building-wide search for him. Consider him a person of interest. Keep a guard following the other one if he shows on the camera again."

"On it, sir!"

The doors opened for Tabi.

10F.

He looked around inside. Nothing in here but cleaning supplies, a corridor going down in either direction. But aside from the elevator behind him there were just two washrooms across. It didn't look well-kept, the hallway strewn about with cleaning supplies, boxes and other generic crap. He could plain tell something wasn't right. He noticed the ceiling too, lower than the other floor he had been on.

Tabi stepped in the male washroom, greeted by a familiar sight. A row of sinks, stalls and urinals. Nothing standing out. But with this appearing as all it was there had to be more.

"I can't find Displo's notes on what this floor had. Looks like janitorial stuff?" Kapi said. "I don't think there's anything here."

"I'll see about that."

Tabi could faintly hear Kapi shuffling papers and then them all crashing down, Kapi now shouting at Huggy to stop whatever he was doing.

A guard stepped out of one of the stalls, He didn't have his helmet on, exposing himself to identification. He merely looked Tabi and up and down, chuckling to himself.

"Hell's someone like you doin' here? Didya get out, skele?" The guards eyes narrowed on Tabi's lanyard, indicating he was an employee. "

"HR?" He said sceptically. "They really let anyone in these days, huh? They get uglier by the day." He joked.

Tabi just glared at him, not saying anything.

The guard just stared back, chuckling again and then going to wash his hands.

"Whatever." Tabi said, walking to a stall, at least appear busy. He'll just go away.

"What's wrong? Didn't want to use your fancy washrooms downstairs." He said, drying his hands. "HR? You ain't nothing. Oh you hire people? Give me a break. You know people know nothing 'bout what we do."

Tabi again chose not to respond, he didn't care much for HR, nor the disguise. The guard's insults meant little to him.

"What're you deaf too?" The guard put a hand on Tabi's shoulder. Tabi spun back grabbing the guys hand and forcing him away. "Don't touch me." He said.

The guard backed up, now getting a better look at Tabi. "The hell are you anyway? Born from some satanic ritual? You look like the kind satanic ritual demonic offspring. You look like a Mayhem cover. Oh, lemme guess. You're one of the good ones?" He said, mocking Tabi's appearance now.

"Better than you. Just another dog in a sea of drones." Tabi said. "You look like every other schmuck I've seen today."

"You got a deathwish, billie goat? And rusky too? You smell like herring." The guard said, glaring back at Tabi. He put his fingers atop his head to simulate horns. "Real scared of you." A sarcastic remark. "You look like the kind we keep in here. You sure you didn't get lost?" He said.

"God, you talk a lot." Tabi muttered.

"I don't think this is getting anywhere, Tabi. You should just leave. He might blow your cover." Kapi said.

"Hmm." He said quietly and turned to walk away.

"That's right. Walk away from me you freak! Should be in someone's stew. Or back in some gulag, Vatni-" The guard shouted.

That was too far.

Tabi lunged at the guard, the last thing he saw being white jaws. Tabi chomped at his throat, not enough to draw blood but definitely choke him. The two toppled over, the scene appearing as if Tabi was a vampire.

He shouted for help in-between the Russian racial slurs he shouted at Tabi.

The guard struggled, trying to reach for a gun, slowly loosing strength, Tabi tried to hold him down. As his movements subsided, Tabi let go. He was out cold, his neck already starting to swell from the bite, jaw marks starting to show. He was still breathing at least.

He spat on the guard. "Pathetic." Tabi picked up the guard and moved him under the counter sink, just out of sight.

"Tabi! The hell was that? You okay?" Kapi asked.

"I'm fine."

"W-well. I don't know if there's anything there. Be careful. Maybe you should try the next floo-"

"I'm still not sure about that." Tabi found the guard's sudden appearance strange. He didn't recall any of the stalls being occupied when he came in. He checked the stall the guard came from. Nothing different about it at first glance. Only 'unusual' thing being the toilet paper was out.

He went back to the guard's body and took his keycard. Peering around the entire washroom Tabi found no glowing box to read the card. Still convinced this couldn't just be a janitorial floor he looked around. Like playing a point-n-click game Tabi did the one thing all players eventually do.

Start using the keycard on everything.

Pomona and her class had finally reached the 4th floor. She had made it a point to get her mother to stop asking so many questions, wanting in the action too. It didn't help she heard Dalia earlier complain about the boredom and go off on her own.

Agoti and Ayana had managed to make it into the data centre but they quickly found their keycards blocked most access. As they ran into the tour guide, Agoti made up an entire story on the spot. "There was some situation on one of the floors. We've been asked to just keep watch on this group."

"That's right." Ayana chimed in. "Management wants to make sure no one in this group is in on the events." Ayana whispered.

"Oh, well the more the merrier!" The guide declared. He then leaned in to Ayana and whispered. "I had a feeling something was going on. They guards have been reporting multiple entries. There's at least 3 sets of intruders currently."

"R-right."

"Wha? There's no way they can know?" Kapi asked on the link. He played it through in his head. It had to have been Tabi, Dalia and Agoti/Ayana detected. He couldn't imagine that you and Nikku had been spotted, or that Pomona and Amelia had been singled out. "Maybe they got Pompom?" He asked, shocked.

"No, I can't see how. If they knew and were watching from cameras or something they would have acted WAY sooner." You mutter through the comlink.

"Don't trust it Kapi. Updike's probably just making assumptions. He shouldn't know who's on our team."

"I think that's just what Updike's assuming. He doesn't know. Assume they're looking for Tabi, Agoti and Nikku or me, presumably." You say, completely forgetting Dalia was someone in the building.

"That doesn't make sense. Why wouldn't he put out a notice for us then? He knows what we look like." Nikku asked.

"Cause it's in the contract Updike isn't supposed to intervene."

"But-"

"Look. I don't know what the hell he's planning. Stay focused." You conclude.

"Abott, sir, get over here! I have something you're gonna like."

"Lemme have it, Mordecai." One of the trio came by. A man with a slender build, wearing a full on tuxedo. Identified by his one large eye and feathery head which contained two wings just below his ears. Though he knew he wasn't to interfere, Updike had thrown that all to the wind so here he was, monitoring the SOC.

"Well, I've been following these 2 since Rigby covering 3F saw them but they've gone to the 4th floor and have been looking around. Guard reported them to leave but instead they went a floor up. It looks like they're looking for something. They've since joined up with the school trip and have been following them around."

"What do you propose?" Abott asked.

"I think we finally got our testers. Let's bag 'em."

"If that's correct then there's a prize waiting. Have some guard trail them out of sight. Let's keep watch, see if we can bait them into doing something stupid. Good job."

"Shouldn't we just grab 'em? I mean, look at this guy. Total abomination. Total freak." The guard said, pointing at Agoti.

"You shouldn't just people by their appearance. I am an abomination, you don't think I'm a freak do you?"

"N-no-no sir. I didn't mean it like that."

Abott shook his head, a sly smile appearing. "No? And that class. What if they aren't our testers? Then we arrest an entire class of kids? That will look horrible. Tail them. That's final."

The elevator doors opened to the 8th floor. "Hey, Dalia, you shouldn't be going there. That's the Nightstalkers floor. They're some-" Kapi started to say. "Bah, doesn't matter. I'm either gonna find the treasure or give up here. Plus. I'm itching for a fight."

Kapi didn't know what to do. It looked as if Dalia was going to blow cover. All he could say "Be careful."

Dalia looked in. Of the floors she had seen this was the least corporate. Floor of concrete and the walls simple concrete too. It appeared to lobby with several corridors around. There were gym equipment around and across a set of stairs up leading to a balcony. It looked more like a fire station than a corporate office.

There were even a few discarded suits hanging around and jetpacks.

"Hello?" She asked. Too quiet in here. She grinned, anticipating whatever was in store for her.

The 11th elevator doors opened. "Alright, (Y/N) and Nikku. You two should be in the armoury. Be careful."

Indeed it was. An open area, stylized more like a military bunker than an office. Though the floor was carpet and suited that 'corporate' look, the many locked gun cabinets all around and green corrugated metallic walls indicated it wasn't.

Signage had been posted around about a shooting gallery and other amenities but what caught your attention was directly in front. There was a long desk, two doors on either side and two guards on either side. From behind the desk you could see a long row of weapons, a room further stretching back.

From behind the desk sat some clerk, the only person present not dressed in full armour. As you got closer you see behind them, an impressive arsenal of weapons, and guards on either side.

They wave you over and you start to go, only to be stopped by Nikku. "I have an idea. Wait." She said, using your voice.

"Welcome to the armoury! Or welcome back? I can't tell, you guards all look the same. What can I get y'all?" The teller asked from a distance.

"Ahem." Nikku cleared her throat. "We need to get to the 13th floor." She said, now using Updike's voice.

"S-sir? I-is that you? Why-er-well, why do you look like that? Where's your suit?"

"T-that is no matter to you. If you were not aware we are currently under attack. I need access to the 13th floor." Nikku cleared her throat.

"W-we-well. With all due respect sir you're room is only accessible from the 8th floor. I-I can't help you here."

"Very well. Thank you." Nikku said.

As you and Nikku turned you heard guns cock.

"Hold on a second. If you're really Updike then what's his favourite sport?" A guard blurted out.

Nikku had no answer. "S-shoot. I don't know that!" Kapi said through the comlink.

You try to recall everything you knew about Updike, and something popped into your head. Something Displo mentioned off hand weeks ago.

"Ballet."

"Huh. How can you know that? Only those in Updike's inner circle know that." The teller said in disbelief.

"W-well we are. And this is Updike. If you have any other questions e-mail directly because we are in a state of emergency. We don't have time to answer frivolous questions." You said, a little shaky at first but you regained your professional voice.

"R-right. Sir. For the greater good! Best of luck." The teller said, saluting you both.

With that you nod and the two of you head back to the elevator.

Just as you left the teller looked to one of the guards who shrugged. Figuring he was had, he quickly picked up the phone and dialled. "Sir? I'd like to report a strange event. Yes..."

"8th floor. Alright!" Kapi shouted as he checked his notes. "Dalia's there! Any updates Dal? You've been awfully quiet." Kapi asked through the link.

"Yeah. Cause there isn't anything on this stupid floor! Shoulda' picked a different one." Dalia said.

"Keep looking. The elevator to 13F is apparently there."

Dalia had been looking, scouring the entire place. The whole floor really felt more like barracks than an office. She was currently looking at a barracks bedroom, various low bed lining the floor, small trunks in front of each.

Not a soul had been present, Dalia starting to get annoyed nobody had shown up, at least to bicker at her.

"Whoa. This isn't good. I-, Displo didn't seem to have notes on it but it looks like the Nightstalker line is active. I-I-damn. I can't translate this fast enough but I-I-I think they figured you out (Y/N) and Nikku." Kapi said.

"Alright, alright. We know that they're probably after you two and that Dalia's also close to the goal. One of you are gonna have to-"

"I'll do it." Dalia said, cutting Kapi's train of thought off. "Wha-?"

Dalia did an arm stretch. "Yeah, it's boring here. May as well get this over with."

Though she had been waiting to get into a fight she felt it time to initiate. Since she had entered the floor she felt as if she had been watched. She didn't care at the time, hoping they'd make themselves known. Someone, somewhere was carefully studying her. She didn't see a single camera anywhere but knew instinctively it being quiet here was on purpose.

"A-alright. Go for it. Good, uh, luck."

With Kapi's permission it was time to start raising hell.

"Alright, time to come on out." She cracked her knuckles. "This games getting boring anyways. Let's dance."

The lights flickered.

Dalia didn't react.

She heard the sound of a pistol cocking behind her head.

"What are you doing here?" A voice said.

"Exploring. That a crime?"

"In there it is. State your name and purpose." The person commanded.

Despite the severity of the situation, Dalia didn't care much. "Dalia. Looking for a job. Thought you guys might be hiring. New trainee and famous DJ. Maybe you heard of me?"

"Do you even know where you are?"

Dalia turned around slowly. There was a guard facing her, gun pointed right at her. "Nightstalkers right? Friend of mine said you guys were the best of the best. That right?"

"That's corre-" Dalia knocked the gun out of the guards hand and jumped back. "Guns are so cheap you know. You do melee?"

The guard looked back up. Dalia didn't notice it until now but the guard was dressed differently. While he wore the typical 'guard' outfit you and Nikku were disguised as, this one contained various occult marking and symbols scrawled all over it. There appeared to be blades along the elbows as well.

The guard stretched his neck. "I can." He drew from his side a baton. It lit up with electricity, volts visibly emitting from it.

"You really wanna do this? You realize this is gonna be painful, right?"

"Damn straight. I'll prove myself." Dalia said, continuing her lie.

"Your loss." The guard said as he readied himself.

"Finally! Some action!" Dalia shouted. She drew the cylinder from her pocket and activated it. In a few seconds and small flash of light it opened up into a scythe. It turned into a large black scythe, a neon blue light appearing at the top of the blade forming the symbol of Dalia's own group.

"Consider this my interview." Dalia said confidently. She hadn't let it slip her reason for being here but she guessed they figure it out eventually.

The doors departed and you and Nikku stepped out, already hearing the ensuing battle with Dalia. You knew from the very moment, not cause of the battle, but because Kapi began freaking out over the comlink.

It looked as if more Nightstalkers were entering as you saw them emerge. Dalia had no problem alerting more and more as she swung at them, smashing through the beds and even indenting the walls.

The lights were flickering fast too. For the other Nightstalkers arriving it was appeared that you and Nikku were just other re-enforcements. Unbeknownst to you the SOC figured you and Nikku were tailing Dalia, the Nightstalkers inadvertently giving you permission to assist. You drew your gun, pretending to get into it.

Amidst the chaos, you grab Nikku's hand and started running, looking for anything that could indicate Updike's throne room. The real search had begun.

After using the keycard on every single object in the room Tabi finally had some success.

Putting the keycard in the automatic flusher by one of the toilets emitted a ring. Suddenly the toilet moved out of the way and the wall opened up to another area.

"I knew it." Tabi stepped through. He wasn't expecting this kind of area, the bathroom opening up to larger section. He was immediately hit by the deep purple lights and dark pinkish walls that surrounded this section.

"Alden has entered the holding area." A robotic voice said aloud. Looking at the new keycard it did list that guard was named Alden.

At the other end of this room stood another door, noting that it linked to the women's washroom. To the right stood a large desk and area behind, weapons abound. It looked to be some kind of administrative desk. For what, Tabi found out instantly.

Looking to the left he saw a few open hallways, lining the wall as the room expanded into them. Glancing down one he saw were several open rooms in the hallway. While most looked to be open a few had blue laser beams cutting them off. From afar they looked like...cells.

The floor was open otherwise, with hallways of cells lined around the place. While constrained by limitations of a floor size it appeared larger than the other floors.

Tabi went towards the desk, curious to see if he could operate it. Glancing at the end of the hallway he saw a guard turn in from behind, looking at the cells. Tabi jumped behind the desk. Fortunately there didn't seem to be a soul around in the administrative area. While Tabi considered grabbing some weaponry instead a glowing light on the desk caught his attention.

Built into the desk was a large console that displayed a map of the entire floor. It reminded him of the TURINGS machine back at the restaurant.

Looking at the console indicated there were about 20 cells here. Most were lit blue, indicating empty with a few appearing to actually have prisoners.

The map also indicated that there were panels surrounding the entire perimeter facing the window to give the indication this floor was just hallways and office space.

In the corner of the screen it displayed,

'CURRENT ADMIN: ALDEN.'

A notification displayed atop the console. 'Security certificates are out of date! Could not properly authenticate user! Working on low-level mode!'

Tabi determined that with how secretive this place was, the Pontifex room had to be nearby. Seeing the guard get within eyeshot he again ducked under the desk, watching closely the shadows of the guards feet approach.

"Alden?" A feminine voice said. "Huh. Guess he's still out on lunch." She shrugged and walked off towards the exit. Tabi waited until he heard the door close.

Continuing to inspect the console Tabi saw one area that looked weird. At the end of the left-most hallways began a maze-like area, cutting and intersecting with the last hallway. There didn't seem to be any cells there, just a single symbol at one of the dead ends.

A swirl on the wall. Touching it caused it to spin. "I think I've located the room. Approaching now."

"A-lright! Good job Tabi!" Kapi said as he flipped through some pages. "O-okay. You go there. If that is, we may need people to sacrifice so be attentive." He said.

Kapi's anxiety and aversion to leading had completed vanished. With Huggy by his side he had slowly started to figure out all the ins-and-outs. The only part he still struggled with was trying to pay attention to everyone's individual conversations. Displo could do it no problem, though Kapi struggled. He had thought about asking Solazar but knew better. Solazar didn't even help him pick up the papers when he dropped it earlier.

Huggy's hyper attentive eyes watched too. He could read somewhat, and seeing the various subtitles appear under everyone's transcripts shook Kapi when he saw a word he recognized. Strange as they were, that had become a team.

With the path ready, Tabi picked up a few guns and armed himself. With a pistol and a machine gun in tow he was ready. Looking at the ammo there were only two types. Non-lethal plastic rounds and 'sleeper rounds'. He filled the machine gun with the non-lethal and pistol the sleep. He was a bit saddened they weren't real bullets but remembered this was a 'test operation'. Not the real thing.

"At least the guns are real." He muttered. Looking at the console he watched where the patrols were ongoing. There were only 2 other guards on the floor with 'Alden's location listed as at the console. Watching their patterns he jumped over the desk and started walking quietly to the swirl.

He walked determined, and slightly excited he had a way out.

The 4th floor, now containing half the team was just about finishing the tour of the data centre. While Agoti, Ayana, Pomona and Amelia had been looking for any way to the 5th there didn't seem to be.

Agoti and Ayana had to be more discrete now. They weren't sure if they were found out or not but they caught more than a few cursory glances from security. It always seemed like they were just in the shadows, watching, followed.

When the guide mentioned they would skip to the 6th floor, Pomona held steadfast and questioned it. After a few roundabouts and other students pressing him he finally said.

"Alright. But don't you kids tell anyone!" The guide said, whispering. "It's where we keep some cool stuff. Maybe we'll see it later." He said with a wink.

While a possible confirmation of the Pontifex Room they didn't know for sure. Speaking to Amelia privately, Agoti and her determined that if they couldn't find the entrance to the 5F from 6F, Amelia would try to press the guide harder for how to get there. "Either that or just blow a hole in the floor." Agoti said.

Kapi wasn't sure what to do. If that was official confirmation it meant Tabi was going to a dead end. Or maybe 5F was accessible from 10F. Or maybe the guide was just joking. Or maybe. Or maybe!

"Argh! I can't make these kinds of decisions." Kapi said frustratedly to Huggy.

"Hey! Over here! Psst! Goth guy!" Someone said with a high-pitched voice, trying to whisper but failing. It was coming from one of the last cells.

Tabi pretended not to hear and kept walking, not wanting to deal with some child. "I know you can hear me!"

"Argh. What?!" Tabi asked, annoyed. He looked to the cell.

The cell looked about the size of a bedroom. There was a futuristic looking bed, a small window, a desk and a pile of schoolbooks.

Tabi guessed he this kid was a teenager. He stood in the centre of the cell, arms crossed. He had black wings, thin black horns and white messy hair which shined against the light of the lasers. Part of it had been tied into a ponytail at the back. His skin was white as a penguin's belly and he wore a maroon-coloured sweater with a white and black bowtie and shiny black pants. Underneath, Tabi could see he wore a black turtleneck.

He was a little shorter than Tabi and didn't appear human, though Tabi couldn't tell. But if he was locked up there, little chance the kid had any humanity. Whatever he was supposed to be reminded him of Nikku somewhat.

"You gotta get me outta here! This place is so boring!"

"Too bad. Not my problem."

"Aw, come on. What do you want? Money, fame? Well I don't have those but I could get you some vodka. Or potatoes to make some haha."

Tabi started walking along, his patience having run out. He had enough of the Russian stereotypes. "Aw c'mon. I didn't mean that. It's just you have the same accent as my dad. Russian right? Look. Whatever you want, just please open the door."

"No."

"Aw, come on. I can tell you aren't a guard. And I don't think you escaped from here. Just please! I'll do anything."

An eyebrow raise. It did give Tabi an idea. Much as he didn't like the boy, he could serve as a distraction.

"If I free you, you'll run immediately and get out, okay? I don't want a sidekick or anything." Tabi said coldly.

"You got it!" I'll be gone with the wind. I was studying this place before I got caught. I'm just an innocent boy!" The kid said, no doubt knowing how much of a liar he sounded.

"Fine. But stay away from me. I don't like you."

"Whatever. You sound like my dad. I'm gonna tell them about this place. They're gonna be so pissed! Ohmanicantwaittomeetthem! Thanks! My name is Sel-"

"I don't care." Tabi turned and snuck back to the console.

"Tabi you sure this is a good idea?" Kapi asked. He had briefly heard Tabi's conversation with the prisoner.

"Best case scenario he gets shot. He can divert guards attention." Tabi said. "It'll distract them from me too."

He found the boy's cell and pressed the OPEN button. An alert suddenly went off as an announcer echoed across the floor.

Now Playing...

Artist: Manabu Namiki

Song: Alien Class A - MEFE / MZMA

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqlbbSBnfPQ

"UAUTHORIZED CELL OPENING. 17. CELL NOT OPENED ACCORDING TO PROPER PROCEDURE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. ADMINISTRATOR ALDEN, RESPONSIBLE."

Tabi jumped over the desk and made a break for it, running past the boy's cell. He paid little attention to the gunfire behind them, no doubt going after the kid. He heard the kid shouting, Tabi paying no mind to it either.

"He got Alden!" Someone shouted behind him, no doubt having discovered Tabi's work. He hoped they blamed the kid for it too.

He rounded a corner, then another. Just one more turn to reach that small hallway with the swirl. As he made it his heart sank by what he saw.

Directly in front of him on the wall centred, behind a glass wall stood a firehose.

In bright text it read above "Break in case of fire! Alarm will sound!" The swirling symbol was nothing more than a fire safety warning.

"DAMMIT!" Tabi shouted. He half-considered breaking it though knew this couldn't be the entrance. As he thought of it, the bathroom or hallway had to just be behind the wall.

"Tabi! What's going on?" Kapi asked through the comlink. Between Dalia's war and this alarm he couldn't keep up.

"SHUTUP!"

Seeing an opening in the panels where the window were he crawled under, hoping it could hide him from the guards rapidly approaching.

There was nothing on the other side of the panel but the other panels creating a hallway and the glass window that overlooked a city below.

As he looked down the hall he saw the kid burst through the panel and then the window, flying out of it.

"I think this might be it for me." Tabi said as he aimed his gun forward, waiting for the guards to jump from the panel and discover him. Having second thoughts about going in a blaze of glory he ducked back under the panels.

He had to hide. He ran backwards, trying to stay quiet as gunshots rained from where the boy had burst through the window. Whatever they thought had occurred, he must not have been detected.

He ran for an empty cell, ducking in there as guards ran. He hunched below the wall, gun to his chest as he saw guards run by.

As soon as it was clear he ran the other way. It would be a cat and mouse game now. Just stay hidden.

To prevent hearing damage Kapi turned down both Dalia and Tabi's comlinks.

It was chaos on the 8th floor. Dalia was holding her own against the Nightstalkers but losing. For every one she smashed into a bed or wall, 2 more emerged and attacked Dalia. You were having difficulty manoeuvring around the flashing lights but were making it. Nikku had removed her helmet, frustrated at the whole situation. It felt like running in circles, Dalia's epic clash in the centre somewhere. Whatever the hell she was doing shook the floor, a few times you hearing someone smashing into the wall.

After taking one more turn you stopped, grabbing Nikku before she could keep running. In the small kitchen, one of the fridges had tipped over, revealing a set of purple curtains. Judging by the tracks on the ground next to it, the fridge had been placed to hide it.

Behind the curtains stood and elevator, the door behind it

shining gold. This had to be it.

There was no button on it. You were about to look but Nikku stopped you. "Move." She said and got down. She pulled out one of the breach charges from her bag.

"I don't care anymore. This has gone on long enough." She muttered and strapped it to the door.

You ran for it, getting as far away as possible. Nikku did so after arming it. You were thankful Dalia had drawn the attention, the Nightstalkers that did you shouting to get lost.

The explosion was instant, smoke filling the floor.

It was felt all over the building, mostly felt among the top floors. On the 6th floor, the group felt it but the guide waived it off as just 'an earthquake or something'.

With her outnumbered, outgunned and starting to feel it, Dalia reached into her pocket and pulled out the flag. She hoped the explosion meant you and Nikku were successful.

Now that the explosion had occurred, Dalia quickly shouted something along the lines that she had just done it with her scythe. It was one last action Dalia saw fit to do. Claim the explosion so they would forget about you two. She drew the flag.

Dalia had surrendered.

"(Y/N). C'MON!" Nikku shouted, still using Updike's voice. The smoke hadn't even cleared. With the goggles fogging up you remove them.

Nikku ran in, quickly finding the explosion had damaged the elevator. Despite it being only 3 floors she saw it fit to jump out the hatch atop and start climbing. You followed, breathless at how fast everything was going.

Seeing the flag the Nightstalkers all immediately stopped. One jumped to Dalia and helped her up. The Nightstalker that first confronted her got up having been knocked out of the fight earlier.

"You are quite a fighter. Consider this interview passed." He joked. "Well. Time to get this party started. Order a lockdown. ASAP! Start a round-robin sweep of the floors. You two. Get to the elevator. Survey the damage."

You had never done so much climbing at once, running out of breath as you hauled up, climbing wires. Reaching a floor up you found a set of emergency stairs that started around 9F.

You and Nikku ran up it, struggling to get to 13F from 8F.

As you two made it, the top doors remained closed. Nikku didn't need any order. She immediately strapped the bomb to the door and rigged it without asking. Freaking out, you jumped down, hoping the explosion wouldn't kill you. Getting a few stories in-between was enough though with the explosions you weren't sure if your hearing would be okay.

Kapi was no doubt saying something on the line but he couldn't tell what the hell was going on. He had lost Nikku's connection, yours was unstable, Tabi's was just gunfire, and Dalia had been defeated.

The other half of the team was currently with the guide just listening, unsure what was happening or why a second explosion rocked the building. Everyone's line had gone quiet sans Kapi's panicked breathing.

And to make matters worse the police radio came alive. The sound of it surprising Huggy.

"We're detecting multiple explosions at the TGG building on Fairmouth St. All available units to that position."

And to make matters even worse a lockdown was ordered.

"This is a lockdown notice. Please comply with local security. We are detecting a Code 12." The automated voice rang.

"What does that mean?" One of the kids asked.

A strange look appeared on the guide's face, a combination of worry and fear. "I-t-it just means that there's an intruder somewhere. We'll be fine, I-I'm sure of it. You kids do lockdowns right? Come on." He motioned to one of the offices, Agoti and Ayana helping. One of the guards that had been spying on them followed suit, effectively venerating Agoti and Ayana. They had nothing to do with this.

For the employees they kept at working, barely reacting to the Code 12 warning. Still, at the back of their mind they were hoping it meant they could leave early. The only people active now were the guards, thirsty for more specific information as they all drew weapons, looking around.

It had already been an eventful day, most employees on the ground weren't expecting to get crazier. Of course, if there was one thing many of them learned working there was to expect the unexpected.

The automatic doors were closed but two figures easily smashed them open.

They were taller than the average person. Dressed strangely, they were quickly distinguished by their attire.

One wore a ushanka. The other wore a nun's veil.

Track 39 - Operation Earthquake, Pt. IV - Russian Roulette

"We have officially become TGG's Disaster Response Team."

Now Playing...

Artist: Abyuse

Song: The Cattle That Bleed...

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMOOJZKdshk

Whatever door that protected the 13th floor was blown to smithereens. Your head rung but otherwise you were fine. Nikku showed little issue and with you, stepped onto the 13th floor.

While you were expecting some kind of extravagant display, Updike's personal quarters were much more refined.

The walls were made of marble and wood, with gold-coloured furnishings lining the walls. The ground shone a glossy white, a large red rug covering parts of it. A large fountain stood in the centre, appearing to have been made out of gold. An angel stood in the centre, holding a bucket, pouring water out.

Doors stood on the sides to other rooms, a final door in far end of the room, behind the fountain and up a few stairs. It had a grand door at it, made of oak and gold.

It all lined up with Updike's description of the area as a "throne room". You guess that the other two rooms must have been for the rest of the triumvirate.

"(Y/N), Nikku! Do you two read me?" Kapi asked, finally getting through.

"Loud and clear. We made it." You say.

"Really? So we won?"

"I don't know yet. I'll keep you updated." You stepped forward with Nikku.

"This is it." She said. "He's gonna pay." She added with a bit of finality. She held her backpack now, the other hand inside, holding the remaining charges.

Just as you walked forward you heard something emerge from the elevator.

"Thought you could slip past us?"

You and Nikku turn. A group of the nightstalkers appeared behind. They were heavily armed and while slash marks indicated they had just battled with Dalia, they looked nonetheless angry.

"You're going to pay for what you've done." The lead stalker said. You glance as Nikku reaches deeper into the backpack, no doubt holding a charge. Not wanting to become a casualty you reach for your flag quicker. But, before you could raw it, a strong voice stopped everyone.

"Stand down."

You and Nikku turn. From behind the fountain, emerging from the grand door was Updike. He looked solemn as ever.

"With all due respect, sir, they're intruders!"

"They are with me." He stepped forward. "Lower your guns. Come now you two. We have a lot to discuss." He said, motioning you and Nikku to enter. You gulp, unsure of Updike's intentions. He did not look happy.

The guards knew someone took out Alden. It wasn't that pompous schoolboy. While their search continued, Tabi hid. He had backtracked his way to the weapons hold and was hiding inside one of the weapon lockers. He had managed to evade capture for this long, even after being spotted on cameras as he ran through the maze-like jail. He waited patiently for the guards voices to die down, giving him a chance for escape.

For now, he would remain quiet. Worst case he'd start a firefight right then and there. He wasn't going down.

Dalia had also gone dark, the nightstalkers requesting she turn off her link. Unlike the heightened worry of everyone on the team, Dalia just chilled. They were curious of her fighting skills and instead of turning her over they had her in the rec room playing cards, discussing exactly what the nightstalkers did. With her 'out of the game', she had no problem explaining the entire operation.

The tour guide had taken the group throughout the 6th floor and were now on the 7th floor, a space where guards could train and lounge. With all he guards watching, neither Agoti or Ayana felt comfortable even speaking into the comlink. Pomona likewise was hesitant. They had tried to press the guard on the 5th floor but to no avail. He did further state that a lot of 'cool toys' are kept there, ultimately confirming it the location of the Pontifex Room. For now, the team here kept a look out for anything that could lead below.

Kapi, still green to all this hadn't informed the group Dalia was out either. They were in the dark. The explosions hadn't been discussed amongst the group, the guide waiving them off as construction. But, despite the lie, the guards around were very active, moving all about the building. Solazar appeared more interested, keeping a close eye on Agoti. Otherwise, all was quiet.

You and Nikku entered, Nikku visibly upset. Updike's office was huge, a wide open room with a large wooden mahogany desk in the centre. It had various carvings on it, similar to the same art piece seen at the entrance of the building.

As you look around, the room appeared less like an office and more like a penthouse he had stuck a huge desk in. Lining the walls were various paintings. In addition to the desk you spot some gym equipment, a small coffee table next to them. TVs covered one of the walls, showing off the various floors.

More curious than any of that, you saw Displo, sitting at the coffee table. "(Y/N). Nikku." He said calmly.

"You're okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"And S?"

"He is in the Pontifex room. Consider either a surprise, though looking at your team, I don't expect either to actually figure out how to get there." Updike said.

He took a seat behind the desk. At the end of the office behind the desk stood a gigantic window, covering the entire wall, overlooking the city. It looked to have gotten more cloudy.

"You'll understand if I want to keep this conversation private. Please turn your devices off."

"Kapi. I'm going dark. But Nikku and I okay. Guys if you can, get to the Pontifex room, but otherwise I think the operation is over. Nikku and I are in the throne room." You say through the comlink.

"Sounds good. O-Oh. Tabi's out, every-" Kapi started to say buy You turn off the link.

"So did we win?"

Updike didn't look amused, instead appearing as stoic as he did. "Perhaps. If they find the room then I will consider that a complete success otherwise I suppose I wasn't specific enough in the wording. But according to our contract you did make it here. Under normal circumstances I would expect you to go through me to reach it all but alas, this is a test." Updike leaned onto his desk, folding his arms.

"Well you practically violated the contract by attacking Displo. And what about the other two of you? I thought they weren't supposed to be inv-"

"Spare me the details. Displo and I already had this conversation." Updike said. "You may as well call the others off at this point. My guards are very much aware of your teams presence and the school team is heavily monitored. I do not know if they are capable of finding the room. I'll admit though, the last of your operatives, the one who attacked my building hasn't been seen. He still remains hidden. Perhaps if he could find the room." You figure he meant Tabi.

"Enough of this!" Nikku shouted. "We made it here! I want you to change your ways! How you treat people is wrong! You're evil!" She said, back to using Tess' voice.

Updike leaned forward. "Yes. I can tell you've been meaning to speak with me, less as a prisoner and more of an equal."

"There were other people there. Innocent people!" Nikku picked up her backpack and revealed the depth charges. "You will change!"

"Do you honestly think that? That I just go around and capture people like you?"

Though unseen, Displo raised an eye. "Don't your literally do that? You've threatened nearly everyone on this team."

"I only ever targeted those that posed a danger to society. That farmer's girl, she is an abomination; a creature which should not exist. But I can tell her heart is pure and her family was loving. That is why I made no move against her." Updike spoke, referring to Pompom. "They only angered me because they harboured you."

Despite Nikku holding the charges outright, Updike did not react. You couldn't read Updike, if he was sincere, or spoke the usual corporate BS you'd heard a thousand times before. You still didn't trust him.

"Then why me?! I didn't do anything!" Nikku said.

"I can't say. Nikku, you are not aware of what you're capable of."

"Well then tell me! I'm not a bad person. I haven't hurt anyone! Give me back my memory!"

"No. You will get it back in time, and I hope you'll mature enough to understand why I was forced to do it."

You really couldn't tell if Updike was manipulating her or not but he did sound troubled. It was as if Nikku's case he felt sorrow for.

"And put that away. You seriously mean to kill everyone here to prove a point?"

"You will pay." Nikku said.

"And what about (Y/N) and Displo? They've done nothing wrong. And did you forget there are two others like me? Who's to say they won't change their ways."

Nikku didn't react, holding back her emotions.

Updike sighed. "You won. Fine. We'll discuss how I treat the 'prisoners' later anyways. Now put those away. Please."

Nikku did so, her arm shaking. "Then at least tell me something about myself! I feel lost. I don't know where I'm from, like anything! At least tell me something!"

"You are from space. You are a polygurian, of the Moriaka Clan. You are a being less like myself, (Y/N) and Displo and more like that cosmic 'thing' we captured earlier. S, I believe he called himself."

"You crash landed here months ago. There was a brief meeting between my troops and you. Suffice to say, a few are still recovering."

"..." Nikku wasn't sure what to say. She was starting to recall it, when she first met Updike. There was someone else with her at the time. Or was there? "Y-you attacked me."

"We didn't strike first. You did."

"I-"

"I wouldn't concern yourself with what you were. You are a different person now. Concern yourself with what you will be. And then your memory will come back. Should you chose penace, I will be ready with forgiveness." Updike said.

"So then what? That's it?" Nikku said, still lost.

"I'll consider your case closed for now. We will monitor you but my people shall make no move against you."

"O-okay."

You and Displo sat uneasily through this. On one hand you still didn't trust Updike, but on the other he could have been telling the truth.

"What about the other prisoners?" Nikku asked.

"Perhaps I have been too harsh on them. After all, you did surprise me with your composure during this operation. I will consider lightening constraints on those it is possible with."

Updike stood up. "But I fully expect you to listen to my request when the time comes. Remember that it was here I accepted your petition."

The way he spoke made it seem like Nikku would have been selling her soul to him. Either way, it sounded too ominous for you to take it. Nikku, on the other hand accepted, not seeing another way.

Updike turned to you and Displo. "You have trained her well. Your whole team has impressed me...somewhat. You all still a long way to go. I seriously expected you all to break in way easier and get to the Pontifex room."

"You aren't going to take a member?"

"I shall not. Long as you all obey the law I have no reason to target any of you."

"So now that the operation is concluded..." You ask. "Can we have S bac-"

Now Playing...

Artist: The Instrumental Ward

Song: A World Torn Loose

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4370nysmpI

The whole building shook. You, Updike, Displo and Nikku felt it. Pompom, her class, Agoti and Ayana felt it. Dalia and the nightstalkers felt it. Tabi didn't so much crawl out as it was swung open, him falling out.

He raised his gun, ready to fight but a guard held up a hand. "Be silent." They motioned as they listened to what had just happened.

It was like an earthquake, something shaking the building's foundation to it's very core. This wasn't just some bomb, whatever shook the building was far more powerful than it.

You hadn't really been paying attention to it but more and more clouds had been accumulating in the sky, slowly turning darker.

Updike turned back to look outside, only then too noticing the state of the clouds. He muttered something under his breath too quiet to hear. He turned back and pushed something on his desk.

The window lit up and changed to a monitor, displaying the security operations centre. There was a person in the centre of the camera looking away.

"Status report. Where's Abott?" Updike said.

"O-oh. S-sir!" The person faced the camera and saluted update. "Are you sure? I thought you weren't to be bothered, what with-"

"Abott. Where is he?"

"He's dealing with the situation on the ground. Are you sure sire, what about the op-"

"Nevermind that. I demand to know what's going on!"

"W-we have a Code 616, 3 hostiles have entered the lobby and started attacking employees..."

"Go on."

The manager took a deep breath, clearly hating being the only to distribute the bad news.

"According to MALLEUS one is an archdemon. Another one appears to be an abomination, signature unknown. The third one is half-demonic, it's signature is recognized in the database."

"Nikusa?"

"Negative. The signature is listed as Selever. They were a half-demon we picked up last week. It appears he was released earlier today on accident. Investigation pending."

Updike turned back to you and Nikku, a grave look on his face. "What have you done? Did you do this?!"

You raise your hands up in defence. "I have no idea who or what that is. I didn't even know there was a prison."

"That is correct." Displo said. "That was not in our intel, nor was it part of the contract."

"W-well. We weren't sure if it was part of the ongoing pentest or not." The manager said bleakly.

Updike shook his head disapprovingly. "I am taking full control of this mission. Disregard all previous orders."

"Yes sir!"

"Give a me a visual on the ground."

"Not possible. Guard reports down there indicate a massive shockwave took out most of the electronics on the ground level." A picture appeared on the screen.

"What, you don't have the last frames?" Updike demanded.

"Sorry sir. Pulling up now!"


It showed three people, a schoolboy with wings, a nun and a shaggy looking character. None of them looked the least bit familiar to you.

"They've identified themselves as the Lightbringers." The manager said.

"Huh?" You mutter. You recall one report sometime ago about a possible cult operating in the city outskirts. They referred to themselves as The Church of the Lightbringers. The case never went anywhere though.

"They aren't our people." Displo said, confidently.

"Report the situation on the ground."

"We have multiple guards, engaging but we aren't winning. Based on the reports they seem to be able to either manipulate perception or are summoning additional deimos. Abott is alone down there. Sterling is presently in the Pontifex Room."

Updike sighed. "We're going to initiate Emergency Plan DFIR. Order all guards to escort and assist employees to evacuate the building. Lift the 'no magic' policy on the guards, allow them to use whatever force necessary to help evacuations. Deploy all nightstalkers to the ground floor, have robotics scrounge up whatever animatronics are still left and have them readied for combat."

"What about the school visiting?" The manager asked.

"I will take care of them, focus on getting our own people out first."

"Yes, sir! And, welcome back, sir!" The manager said relieved.

"I will be at the lobby momentarily."

"What about the holding area?"

"There are not many left in the holding area. Leave them for now. And have the police evacuate the local area."

The building shook again.

Updike turned to Displo. "I want you to command. I don't know how IRIS handles outbreaks but follow protocol. God help me if you betray me." Updike pushed something on his desk. A command screen popped up.

"If even a word of any of these leaks to IRIS-"

"You have my word." Displo said, raising a hand.

"Conclude transmission, Displo will be acting incident response director. I will deal with this on the ground. Understood?"

"Yes, sir! Best of luck, sir!" The manager said before ending the call.

As the monitor changed back to a window you saw the clouds had turned darker. It was focused around this building. The clouds had grown thick and black.

Updike turned to the three of you.

"Consider the operation done. But I am not through with you yet. You will assist in the IR team, helping the nightstalkers. Who amongst you can fight?"

"Uh, well I guess most of us. Pretty much everyone I guess."

"I can't fight." Nikku muttered.

"Very well. We'll need everyone we can get."

"But it's just 3 people? Don't you guys outnumber them?" Nikku asked.

Updike shook his head. "Not when it comes to beings like these. I very much doubt my units have done anything against them other than anger them further. The nightstalkers should prove better. You want to know why I enforce such horrid procedures on these beings, this is why."

Updike pushed something on the desk. An elevator from the right wall appeared.

"Nikku you come too. We might be able to use you for psychological warfare."

"Oo-okay." She got up. With the confidence Updike spoke she listened.

"Good." Updike made for the elevator, you and Nikku following.

With Displo in control the first plan was to get his people to safety and those that could. He turned on his comlink.

"Hello everyone. We have a serious problem. Operation is concluded, there is a massive attack occurring on the 1st floor of the building. We need to get everyone to safety who can. We have officially become TGG's Disaster Response Team." He began.

"Dalia, continue with the nightstalkers. Assist them in frontline battles."

There was no response as Dalia had turned off her link. Displo kept on talking.

"Amelia & Pomona, do what you can and teleport the children to safety. The no-magic policy is lifted so use additional employees to boost magic. We are currently evacuating the building. Teleport them to the restaurant, have Tess treat them. It will be on Updike's bill."

"What's happening?" Pomona asked.

"Officially, the building is under attack by forces."

"What kind of attack?" Amelia asked.

"Demonic."

"Whoa, hold on. Y-you mean, the Family?" Tabi said. He and the guards weren't in a standoff anymore, more curious as to what was going on. Both were talking into their respective headsets.

"Negative. We don't know who it is yet. Ayana. I want you to help with evacuation."

"Tabi, Agoti, the two of you join whichever contingent of guards is closest by and proceed with them."

"Kapi, Huggy and Sol. You three stay put for now. Kapi I'm going to have you relay a message to my people later. But that's only if we need to request help."

"You had better be careful out there Tabi and Agoti. You really don't want me to intervene." Sol said, still drinking his tea.

"Anyone unclear?"

"Where's S?" Kapi asked.

"Still out of commission. It's no matter, he wouldn't be able to help currently."

"What about me? Can me and mom come back to help?" Pomona asked. The teachers had been noticing Pomona talking, figuring it was just her talking to the students. It was only now they realized she must have had some headpiece on.

"Amelia may come back, but you should stay put at the restaurant. It is too dangerous here."

"That's not fair!" Pomona protested. "I wanna fight too!"

"Now now dear, Fighting is one thing, but demons are another. I won't let you." Amelia said.

With the guards getting the message evacuation procedures started. The fire alarm was raised, emitting a series of loud beeps on all floors. Tabi was waved over by the guards and joined them in making it to the ground. Agoti likewise did the same thing, joining the 6F security. Ayana remained on the floor, planning to manoeuvre around them doing the last checks with the managers.

Meanwhile, the ground floor had quickly turned into a warzone.

Track 40 - The Lightbringers

"Say goodnight, hellspawn!"

Now Playing...

Artist: Watashinokoko

Song: Omatsuri

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2NahBTHH3Y

"Wait! Why do we have to help you with this?!" Nikku blurted out as the elevator took it's time to arrive.

"Because you have caused this." Updike said sternly.

"No we didn't!" Nikku pleaded. She looked to you for help. You shrug.

"I don't know. Either way the team's in danger. At the very least we need to help them get out."

"A correct assertion. I can see why Displo said you were the leader." Updike said with a slight smile.

The ground floor quickly turned into a warzone. With Emergency Plan DFIR active it gave free reign to the guards in the lobby.

They had always taken security seriously at TGG. Now that a threat appeared they were ready.

The ground floor had been split in two areas. In the initial attack guards engaged the trio while others began moving tables, chairs and whatever they could find into a barricade. The barricade led from the columned area and security all the way to the cafe. It managed to secure the stairwells, elevators and an escape out the cafe side. From there a steady stream of people emerged from the building, getting to safety.

Cops arrived too, one of the triumvirate appearing and ordering them to secure the premise.

Abott and Sterling remained around, neither one engaged in the fight. Abott continued to command from the SOC and Sterling searched the floors, making sure nobody had gotten trapped from moving furniture.

The demonic trio took out all of the guards who engaged, bodies now lying around the ground floor, unconscious at best. The remaining guards held steadfast, having managed to wrangle the situation into a sort of standoff.

And while masks hid expressions, behind the black goggles and facemask they were terrified.

There were three attackers.

The first one identified himself as Ruv, or at least had been identified as such. He spoke little, his fists having done most of the talking. For the guards that did hear him speak they were stunned as his voice had the abilities to emit shockwaves, the likes of which were making the building groan in agony.

In the few words he did speak normally, most heard a faint Russian accent. He was a human-like in appearance, his head the only clear indication he wasn't human, or at least, not anymore. He had pale-white skin, a very pale purple streak of tattoo going along his right eye as if the side of his head were painted such a way. His left eye remained covered by a long black bandage. It had the strange runic symbols and illustrations on the bandage, which glowed when he spoke.

He had long flowing thick clam-coloured hair, most of which was hidden by the ushanka he wore. More symbols on the front of the hat, a dead giveaway of his alignment with "The Lightbringers".

He wore a tulip-coloured jacket with black lines along the elbows covering a black shirt and grey, colour-less gloves. His jacket had a few frays on its sleeves and front, its age showing. He had black pants on as well, with black military boots, laces the colours of clams.

The second one identified herself as Sarventes Lucifer, a nun and the head priestess of her 'church'. She was the same species as Ruv, a rounded face, but with pale-pink skin what appeared to be tattoos or ink on the face. She had three streaks, a maroon coloured one going down the right side of her face, a pale-pink going down the middle and a lighter-pink going down the left side. It appeared almost as a Neapolitan pattern of ice cream would.

When she first entered she was dressed as a nun, veil concealing hair, a metal cross sewn into the veil and black and white clothes covering nearly all of her body. When it became clear combat would be necessary she shed her nun clothes, instead revealing a leotard and black leggings that appeared to be melting into her skin. Her eyes turned a bright shade of red and she sprouted two large wings which allowed her flight. It was vampiric in nature and the inside of the wings shined a faint pink glow.

Arms and legs became enveloped in an inky blackness which looked to have been consuming her body in a glowing darkness. It looked as if it were a parasite, absorbing her appendages, corrupting her further. But unlike a parasite she was fully in control, allowing herself to be overtaken by demonic energy.

The right side of her face darkened as well, as if the light were not hitting, instead appearing as if she was hiding in the shadows.

She ran a church that was heavily rumoured to have some ties to hell. TGG knew of her but never made a move, keeping her under observation.

Finally, the third one had been identified as Selever, the

alleged offspring of the two attackers as he claimed. A half-demon schoolboy, his wings not fully developed nor were his powers.

When Updike had heard the name he recalled the capture. Spies caught the boy trying to suck the soul out of an innocent bystander. But, he was inexperienced, his ability only causing the victim minor discomfort. Updike found the boy cocky and arrogant, if completely ignorant of his actions.

When locked up he vowed to escape, get his parents to attack and vowed that they'd never find his sister either. It was then that Updike had tried to search for his parents, figuring the boy had to have some guardian. The investigation concluded when the boy claimed to a therapist that he 'willed' himself into existence out of some strange void.

Updike had determined something strange had happened with the boy and needed further testimony before he do anything with him, unable to find any records indicating the existence of a "Selever Lucifer". He had even sent an agent to the church, Sarventes having no knowledge of a son.

But now that boy was free, and he had brought his parents.

The trio had a series of emotions etched on their face.

Ruv's was deadpan. He moved fast, grabbing and smashing soldiers to the ground or blowing them away with his shouts. As he did there was not a hint of excitement or pleasure. This was just something he did.

Sarventes was that of righteous fury, of what they did to Selever, a being she hadn't even known existed until today. But he was of her flesh; they had to pay for what they'd done.

Selever took on a smiling happiness, excited and full of energy at the violent scene in front of him. While Ruv may have had no emotion, Selever could easily cover for him. He giggled maniacally at the show in front of him.

While Ruv dealt in physical and vocal, Sarventes proved to be the most deadly.

With a mastery of demonic magic and excellent precision she had no issue or qualms in summoning more demons. Imps and small, annoying creatures emerged from the ground. At least, that's how it appeared to the guards. They had fired bullets at the devils, only to find they went right through.

She had been able to mess with their own perceptions of reality, creating illusions of demons. And just when they thought they had her figured out she actually summoned some demons, a few guards having to rip them off, filling them with bullets. They did hurt like hell, even if they weren't real.

Sarventes ability grew upon more than the minions she raised. The sky surrounding the building and metro area had turned black, thunder and streaks of electricity visible in them. To make matters worse, she found the ability to move objects, turning office furniture into projectiles, ripping desks through the ground to the second floor. She acted before the barricade was made and created her own, blocking the main entrance.

Wires snapping from magical pressure, Sarventes found it trivial to weaponize the sculpture above. With its pieces severed, it became the blockade for the front door, pieces sloppily stacked.

Nobody would be leaving alive.

But despite that she made no attempt on trying to dismantle the guard's barrier. It worried the guards even more. She waited, a wicked smile on her face. With the projectiles that flew and building shake Abott keyed into it first stating into the comlink. "She's trying to bring the building down. Do not let her attack any pillars!"

Finally, Selever just served to annoy the assailants. His abilities were not fully developed yet. One particularly eager guard and had managed to grab Selever and nearly electrocuted the boy but was stopped by Ruv. He struggled to figure out how power, instead circling guards and providing distraction.

The challenge posed by the 3 gave them more than enough reason to keep things a stalemate until the professionals arrived.

They guards made no attempt to negotiate with them. Coupled with Selever's pointing finger that each of them complicit in his capture and 'torture' made things worse.

Agoti and 4F's guards were the first ones on the scene. Once the guards took sight it was over for them. Having not got the message about the illusions, demons and severe strength the trio had they were done. Some were thrown through glass windows in the lobby and others engaged in hand-to-hand combat in Ruv only to have their helmets knocked off and guns snapped in half.

A few managed to land hits on Ruv, bullets barely scratching his jacket, let alone him.

Sarventes giggled. "C'mon. This the best you got?" She shouted. "Hand over your leader! C'mon~We just wanna talk."

"Yeah! Where's the cloudguy? If we don't get him we're gonna start killing out you all!" Selever added, enthusiastically.

A few of the guards remained by the cafe, trying to usher people out of sight and dealing with the demonic illusions. The lights had been taken out by Ruv, giving the escapees a small amount of darkness to hide in.

The trio seemed to be avoiding the fleeing people, focusing on those who struck first.

The quick defeat of 4F's security left the floor mostly barren. The demonspawn saw it fit to climb the barricade and start harassing the survivors. They shouted at them, giggling and throwing explicities at the workers like slavers herding slaves.

Agoti managed to stay unseen, ducking behind the security desk. "Dude, this people are nuts! I don't think we can take them. Friggin' never seen people move like that."

"Do not make any moves until we're all there. If we're going to do this we'll need everyone." Displo said.

The elevator doors opened again, a scene of chaos in front of them. Tabi only had with him a few guards, the 3 minus the one he had knocked unconscious and one left above to watch the cells.

He had suggested they free and use other prisoners for combat but it was met with annoyed and confused faces. After all, none of the prisoners would be suitable, Updike had said. Ste

Tabi checked his comlink. "So bullets do nothing. How are we supposed to do against him?"

"Perhaps holy water." Solazar suggested, finally doing something helpful.

"Negative. That would not work against a being like Sarventes. She is what we call a 'Holy-Terror'. It would be like using a crucifix on a priest." Displo said.

"You, help us get these people out. That's our mission right now!" One of the guards shouted at Tabi and co.

Two of the guards and Tabi opened fire on the demonspawn, vanquishing some and taking out their illusions. "Forget the trio, squad, get the people out." One of the guards took command. She removed her helmet, not needing the extra protection.

They made for the line, ready to stand in and help.

From the hole in the ceiling more drones arrived, ready to distract the trio.

Tabi didn't listen, instead joining Agoti at the desk. He could see the trio weren't targeting the people. The trio were distracted anyways. They needed a game plan if the statement were to break.

"I'm gonna be there in just a sec." Dalia said through the comlink. "Get their attention! I wanna to see how they stand against PTS Weaponry!"

"You sure?" Agoti asked.

"Damn straight! I'm the only one here who's actually fought demons!"

Agoti and Tabi heard the elevator doors open and saw the lights flash. The Nightstalkers had arrived. Seeing Dalia running, Agoti grabbed one of the phones and chucked it at Ruv.

He never fancied himself a good baseball player but the throw was excellent, the phone and cord landing a direct hit on Ruv's head, knocking his ushanka askew.

Agoti stuck his tongue out, hoping to enrage Ruv.

This seemed to elicit some form of expression and he mumbled at Agoti.

"Bastard."

He turned his attention to the digidevil at the security desk and started walking ominously to it. Tabi reloaded his gun, ready for a firefight-

"Say goodnight, hellspawn!" Dalia jumped in-between them, slashing her scythe downwards. It narrowly missed Ruv, who jumped pack. The impact was close enough to slash the zipper.

Agoti jumped back, immediately sicked upon by imps, both real and fake.

"Get the hell off me!" He shouted as he ripped them away.

The elevators were jammed, a warning come off two late. You, Nikku and Updike made for the conventional elevator, finding it busy moving between the floors. You suggested stairwell but Updike refused. "Ultimately this is still their test. We will arrive when the time comes." He said.

He looked to Nikku and the screen of Sarventes, a nasty thought occurring. "Nikku. Listen to the woman's voice. I want you to replicate it. Displo will lead you with the words you need to say."

"W-what are we going to do?" She asked.

"We're going to break one of them psychologically." He muttered.

Tabi got up from the desk too and raised the machine gun. As he looked at Ruv he stopped, noticing his hat.

"Wait, you're Russian? Вы говорите по-русски?" Tabi asked. He lowered his gun.

"Да." Ruv muttered.

Dalia's scythe glowed as she got hyped. "Let's do this!"

She lunged forward. Ruv caught the blade with his bare hands, the gloves shielding from the sharpness. Dalia kept at it and landing she swung the scythe up, picking up Ruv in the process. It flung him across the arena, him crashing into one of the pillars.

"Damnnit! I said keep them away from the pillars!" Abbott shouted through the comlink. "Those are load-baring!"

"Do we know anything about this Russian guy?" Tabi said to the link.

"Afraid not. His name is Ruv. Presumably it's short for something." Displo said.

"Damn!" A chair flew by, smashing into the desk and startling Tabi.

"Shouldn't have come back Billie!" Selever used his magic to throw stuff at Tabi. Though Tabi ducked more furniture smashed into the desk, one of the metal rods piercing through it, narrowly hitting him.

The Nightstalkers descended on Sarventes.

"Oh so the rooks and bishops have finally arrived. Humph. Was getting bored of all these pawns." Sarventes said mockingly.

Having been briefed on the 'bulletproof-ness' of the demons they brandished batons, electricity vibrating from each. They already had enough practice with Dalia. Now for the real show.

"This is not fair!" Pomona shouted to her mom. They had successfully made it to Displo's and briefed Tess. She was currently in the kitchen with the chefs cooking up a storm.

Pomona, on the verge of tears had gone to one of the party rooms with Amelia to avoid making a scene.

"I should be out there helping! We barely did anything in the whole stinkin' operation and now they get to do all the cool stuff!" She cried.

"Absolutely not! You know how those creatures there are. Demons aren't like people. They'll attack and have no remorse. You're staying here and that's final missy!"

"It's not fair!" She shouted again.

Now Playing...

Artist: REDALiCE

Song: Grime Trooper

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYEYd3AZwsU

Ruv got up, slightly annoyed by the forced acrobatic action. Dalia landed just in front of Ruv. "Let's dance."

She swung again, the scythe landing on marble tile, indenting it. Ruv rolled and got up, brushing his mouth with his fist.

As if performing a 1-2, he ducked and punched forward. Dalia blocked it, hilt of the scythe taking the brunt of the force. It was enough that she felt wind pass by as Ruv impacted the handle.

"Don't worry Dad! I got you." Selever rushed in and tackled Dalia...or at least tried to; she had managed to at least see him and grabbed his head, shooing him away like a fly. He had already given up on Tabi.

Ruv attempted to parry and punched again, Dalia narrowly missing the punch.

Annoyed at Dalia's complete inconsideration of him he resumed his attacks on Tabi, giving him a small sense of accomplishment that he was actually helping.

The Nightstalkers were having a lot of trouble. Sarventes with quick speed dodged, only a few hits actually landing. She remained in the air where it took each Nightstalker a few seconds to reach through acrobatics. To make matters worse she saw fit to generate illusions of other stalkers, shattering whatever trust they had amongst themselves.

They saw it more as a game of attrition; that she couldn't keep up the facade of keep away and had to calm down eventually. All they had to do was outlast her.

Dalia jumped to the side and whipped her scythe at Ruv, landing a direct hit. It knocked the being aside. But while it looked like it hurt, he just got back up and spat.

Dalia cursed. "Damn, harder than I thought."

The illusions were already starting to get stretched thin as Sarventes focused her power on the Nightstalkers, leaving less imps around. As Agoti slammed the last demon it disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Alright!" He shouted. He decided to help Tabi and bolted towards Selever. The half-demon nary had a second before Agoti lunged at and grabbed his wings and torso pulling him to the ground.

With the coast clear Tabi jumped over the desk and made for Agoti. He couldn't get his mind off Ruv however, something about him seeming familiar.

"Hey no far! You can't gang up on me!" Selever shouted as Agoti pinned him. Selever shouted back incoherently he struggled under Agoti. "What do I do?" Agoti shouted.

"Hold him."

"I said that's. NOT. FAIR!" Selever shouted again and utilizing Ruv's power emitted a soundwave, knocking Agoti and Tabi aside.

"Hmph. I can't believe you're one of them!" Selever chided and he glared at Tabi.

Tabi made no rebuttal, instead opening fire on Selever.

The elevator doors opened, with it, another group of survivors. Ayana led them doing what she could to keep morale up.

She witnessed Dalia trading blows with Ruv, offering up a bit of encouragement herself. "You get 'em Dal!"

Ruv had started to yell again, the soundwaves shaking the place. So far Dalia had been lucky in avoiding them. Ruv could move quick, but directing his voice at her was harder. She knew one hit would be it though.

As she swung her scythe, she aimed for his head. He ducked, as she expected. With the scythe she hooked right onto the lip of the ushanka, throwing it off him.

It exposed his long flowing white hair. It was unkempt and greasy looking but not knotted or clumped. The ushanka was sent a distance, landing near Tabi.

Selever had found the gunfight boring, the bullets having little effect if they hit him. He stuck his tongue out at Tabi before flying off to help his mother.

Tabi picked up the hat, inspecting the front of it. As if unearthing a lost page, something clicked in his mind. "Ruvyzvat." He said quietly.

Ruv had started to get angry, Dalia having proven herself far more capable than the guards. He jumped back a bit, hoping the added space meant she couldn't dodge. Dalia caught onto the plan and kept the distance between them slim.

A bright light flashed into the arena. It nonetheless caught the attention of the Dalia's side, but the event was hardly noticed by the Lightbringers, who saw it as just some random occurrence.

"I'm here!" Pomona declared, emerging from the light, the teleport was successful.

Tabi's heart sank as he processed it first. As if he was about to see something gruesome.

"POM!" He shouted.

"Pomona, what the hel-"

"Gone." Ruv said, the shockwave landing directly on Dalia. It launched her several metres, knocking her through the glass wall of the building.

"DALIA!" Ayana screamed, running towards where she was launched. Agoti jumped up too, running after Ayana.

Pompom wasn't sure what was going on, or why this haggard-looking fellow was looking at her confused.

"T-they sent a child?" Ruv muttered.

"POMONA GET AWAY!" Tabi yelled and opened fire on Ruv. He knew the bullets would do nothing but also knew she didn't stand a chance.

It took Pompom a hot second to realize Ruv was the enemy and she jumped away, casting a small fireball at Ruv. It was weak, the spell having come spontaneously from her.

Huggy had been listening with Kapi and Sol at the existing fight. He knew little of what was going on. However, the grainy feed Displo had managed to scrounge up plus the shouting on the comlinks told him what he needed to know.

Pompom was in danger!

He emitted some sort of roar, a guttural sound that almost sounded like him trying to scream her name. With his cry heard he scrambled out the window, knowing he needed to get in the direction of the building.

"Huggy!" Kapi said, nearly jumping after him. At least, the catboy would have stumbled out the window had Solazar not caught him by the scruff of his neck.

"Such chaos." He commented.

Kapi got up and went to the comlink, tagging Displo. "Huggy's gone. I think he's running to the building."

"Affirmative. I will make sure law enforcement stays aware and assists."

"Meddlesome." Ruv said, emotionless. He decided that between Pomona and Tabi he would go for the girl first. He had no intention of killing her as he got a strange feeling when he looked at Tabi.

The elevator doors finally opened, the final three contestants entering the ring.

Updike, yourself and Nikku.

You had been trying to keep up with the chaos but between the shouting you weren't sure what was happening.

"(Y/N). Hand Nikku your comlink. I'll need to speak to her directly." Displo said.

You stepped out, armed with nothing but a handgun. Based on what you had heard Updike describe them as you figured it wouldn't do much.

The first thing witnessed was Pomona running into the elevator area, a large staunch looking man behind her.

"What in the lord's earth are you doing here! I ordered you vacate!" Updike said.

"I-I wanted to help." Pomona said. She turned and sloppily shot a ice bolt at Ruv who merely knocked it asunder. It froze his hand for a second.

"Then get behind me. This is no place for a mage. Where is your mother!"

A lightning bolt shot into Ruv's back. Unlike the pitiful spells Pomona had been casting this one actually hurt, the electricity singing his back.

"Get away from my daughter!" Amelia commanded.

"So many of you people." Ruv remarked, annoyed now.

Amelia teleported again, this time to Pomona. She grabbed her. "I'm sorry but this not your fight!" She shouted and vanished.

Ruv was about to charge Updike but bullets in the back stopped him.

"Stop avoiding me." Tabi said. He had emptied his clip. "Ruvyzvat."

"You know my name?" Ruv said.

"Find out."

Tabi knew he had little a chance but he wanted to know Ruv more. Identify what was making him so uneasy. He complied and made for Tabi.

With the coast clear you, Updike and Nikku entered the area.

Most of the Nightstalkers had fled, facing far too much damage.

"Nikku, using the woman's voice, try to get into that kid's head. Find out why he is doing this." Updike said, referring to Selever. Nikku nodded and made for Selever.

"Fall back stalkers!" Updike shouted. The lightbringers stopped, now aware of the next 3 people.

And in an instant, all the Nightstalkers that had been attacking Sarventes jumped away, returning to the shadows.

"I am in the one in charge of this facility. What business do you have here?"

"That's him! That's the guy that locked me up! Tested on-"

"We did no such thing. Captured yes. But we did not test you."

"You took our son!" Sarventes said, eyes burning with rage. "How could you do such an affront to God. No better than Solomon's Judgement!"

"How dare you!" Updike roared. He had been irate before but insulting his faith had gone too far. You saw his eyes fill with rage "You didn't even know he was your offspring! He willed himself into existence, no more a claim to you than the imps that worship you! You're a heathen masking around as God's servant!"

"By divine! You have spoken your last lie, sinner!"

"Bring it, heretic!" Updike clenched his fists and jumped up, a burst of wind emitting from the sheer force he propelled himself with.

"Damnit!" You heard Abott shout in the comlink. "He just had to start arguing faith!"

Updike moved fast, far faster than you had anticipated for someone his size. Sarventes as well did not expect for him to move that fast. He had dodged her blast of darkness, his fist narrowly missing her neck. He slammed right into the ground, a dent forming where he had landed. Unfazed he got up, brushed himself off and continued his assault.

For once, Selever became frightened, quickly learning what fear even was. Updike was scary. Maybe Dad would fare better?

Kapi was still trying to manoeuvre around the console and try to make himself useful. Already once had Sol told him to calm down; that there was only so much he could do from his post.

A bright flash of light appeared in safe house, bringing with it Pompom and her mother.

"How can I help?" Pompom asked gleefully. "It wasn't right for us to just leave. What can we do?" Amelia asked.

With the comlinks within range again Displo spoke. "Amelia. I would need you to-"

"Huh, where's Huggy?" Pompom asked through the link.

"He ran off to the building." Kapi said sheepishly. "He thought you were in trouble."

"Oh no! We gotta help him! I'll teleport right there!"

"Pomona Carrot! Don't you dare!" Amelia shouted, but it was too late. She was gone. Amelia grumbled and teleported too, using her own magic to identify Pomona's new location.

"Uncoordinated." Sol commented.

"That is enough from the peanut gallery." Displo rebutted.

In an uneven standoff, Tabi and Ruv stood. Ruv wasn't trying to kill him, mostly make him back off. Tabi sensed it and kept Ruv distracted. Ruv swung at him, deliberately slowly.

"Why do I know you?" Tabi asked.

"How should I know? What is known, is that you've signed your death wish."

"It's you that won't make it unless you back down. What is all this?"

"It's justice."

"It's violence."

"I don't care how you spell it." Ruv lunged at Tabi, the goat just narrowly missed a bear hug.

"I know revenge. Revenge is where you get back for those sick bastards and what they did to you! Revenge is killing those responsible. These people had nothing to do with it."

"I'm not interested in your lectures, Dostoevsky." Ruv said as he punched forward, smashing his fist into one of the pillars. Ruv was unfazed, the pillar now having a fist-sized dent in it.

"Oh yeah, this is much better-hey!" Selever remarked but was stopped by a rock hitting his back. It was Nikku and you, ready to "psychologically break" him as Updike had so graciously said.

Selever blinked, seeing Nikku's pale face and pink hair.

"M-Mom?" He asked quizzically, even unsure who was in front of him.

"Play off his emotions. Confirm your ancestry to him." Displo said through the comlink.

"That's right! You need to stop this, er, son." Nikku said.

"Repeat after me Nikku." Displo commanded.

"I am your real mother, that's just another version of her."

"But why aren't you demonic? Are you with them?" Selever asked. He started to lower himself, and landed on the ground. Cautious but curious.

"They're innocent people. They were just trying to help you."

Ruv caught wind of the conversation and left Tabi.

"That's enough trickery." Ruv said and lunged at Nikku. She barely dodged, instead tripping out of the way. In the brief time he was in reach you did what your instinct said to do. You take a jab at his throat, fist landing perfectly. Ruv stumbled back as he cleared his throat.

"Bad mov-" A pistol flew into Ruv's head, courtesy of Tabi.

"We aren't done here, big man."

Ruv grumbled, turning back to Tabi.

Sarventes flew across the area, landing into one of the pillars. Updike had been successful in his strike. Not even the illusions could stop him. He could feel the imps ripping his back up but paid no mind. They did not exist.

He landed in front of Ruv.

"What have you done?" Ruv said, eyes wide.

Updike cracked his knuckles. "Let's go."

Ruv's eyes narrowed in vexation. "Piece by piece. I will break you."

"No. He's mine." Sarventes said, getting up and brushing the rocks off herself. She rose and fired magic at Updike, the blast darkening the ground as he moved. "Mom, I'll help!" Selever shouted, gathering the courage to go after Updike too.

Updike moved up his sleeves. This was gonna hurt.

Ruv's attention turned back to you, Tabi and Nikku.

You readied your fists up. Nikku wasn't sure what to do, instead striking a pose.

"Wait. Let me talk to him." Tabi said. You look to Tabi who just nodded. Ruv didn't appear to have an issue with it and you and Nikku stepped away, making your way to help people escape.

"Ruv. This isn't justice. Back home. The village. That was justice."

"You cannot possibly remember that." Ruv spat. "I've lived too long anyway."

"What about your son?"

"Enough of these questions. You aren't me. You aren't like me. You wouldn't understand. I grow tired of this." Ruv lunged to Tabi and punched him. Tabi felt it in his stomach, sending it reeling.

You bolted to Tabi, ordering Nikku to get away to safety.

When he came to, seconds later he saw he was behind the perimeter, Updike and the two lightbringers clashing in the ceiling.

Updike landed just behind Tabi, on the other side of the barricade. There was a standoff again, Sarventes starting to tire from the combat. Selever too had been winded. Ruv as otherwise fine, having consistently fought the weaker ones since the fight began.

"Cytka." Tabi muttered.

"You alright?" You knelt beside Tabi.

Now Playing...

Artist: SL!DE

Song: Cage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61_IaloDcP0

"Fine." He got up, slightly dazed. "I'm not through with this guy."

Ruv was approaching the perimeter, getting ready to join in the battle against Updike. But before he could Tabi shouted again.

"You know even if you kill him, the whole city will be after you. This won't end the way you want."

Ruv didn't respond.

"You're a coward. You think going out in a blaze of glory is so good? What about your kid, huh? These people will just raise him." Tabi shouted.

Ruv stepped. uneasily. That line had gotten to him. "Ну?" Tabi asked, now speaking in Russian. He hoped the language would reach Ruv. He spoke with Ruv from behind the perimeter, in safety .

"(You don't understand.)" Ruv said.

"(Then make me. What have these people done to you?)" Tabi said.

"(They took my son. You would have done the same thing. I'm doing what God wanted me to do.)

"(What? These random workers? These people have no idea. You're hurting innocent people. You didn't even know you had a son! You're just attacking for what?)"

Ruv paused.

Selever, pestering Updike was knocked asunder as he crashlanded near you.

"(Y/N), Nikku, be useful!" Updike shouted as he stared down Sarventes. He jumped the perimeter and started walking towards her, righteous indignation on his face.

You and Nikku turned your attention to Selever. He was already getting up and getting ready to have another go. Nikku did the first thing she though and lunged at him, grabbing one of his pant legs.

"Get off me you imposter!" He shouted, trying to shake her off. You briefly considering shooting at Selever but not wanting to hit Nikku you don't.

"(You surrender, and I'll make sure they don't hurt him.)" Tabi shouted.

"(I cannot trust you. You a heathen. Just like him.)" Ruv said, unmoved.

"(I'm the one who freed him. And who I am doesn't matter. You know you can't win this. It will be the death of you or the destruction of this city.)"

"(Perhaps that's the best outcome. You have no idea how I've lived. I'm tired.)"

"I have no respect for those who misled of the lord." Updike proclaimed as he inched closer to Sarventes. She readied her fists, magic glowing ever-present on them.

"I have done nothing wrong, neither hare nor soul have been sullied!" She fired off magic at Udpike, the cloudman jumping out of the way.

Unable to fly with the added weight, Selever started to sink, his easy flight now turning to a workout.

"Nikku hold on!" You shout, running for Nikku.

"Get off me you stupid woman!" Selever cursed. He was trying to kick Nikku off but she managed to grab his other leg, further damaging his flight.

With Nikku now in range you jump and grab her legs doubling the weight Selever had to carry. He completely slumps, stopping all flight and the three of you crash into the perimeter, knocking chairs and tables aside.

"God! You two are so annoying! Leave me alone!" Selever shouted, getting fed up with his constant losses.

"You are a demon, and a mother at that. You're instinct should have been to turn to the light to get your son back, not the darkness." Updike said.

"What do you know?!" Sarventes shouted angrily.

She fired a blast and Updike bolted behind her, grabbing hold of her wings. "Yield." He demanded. "Move and I'll rip them right off."

"(You promise?)" Ruv asked, coming around to the suggestion.

"(I promise I will help.)" Tabi pointed to Updike. "(I'll make him stop. This won't end the way you want it. It's a dark road ahead.)"

"(I don't care. It doesn't matter. You're a liar just like the others.)" Ruv sighed. He was just making up excuses at this point.

"You are an evil man!" Sarventes emitted a blast knocking loose Updike sending him away. He caught himself and was getting ready for another go. He would have charged her, had Tabi not caught his eye, yelling at Ruv.

"(Then I give up.)" Tabi said. He got up from the rubble and hands raised started walking towards Ruv. He dropped his gun.

"You idiot! What are you doing?" Updike shouted.

"ТОГДА НАПАДАЙ НА МЕНЯ! Я НИЧЕГО ПЛОХОГО НЕ СДЕЛАЛ!" Tabi shouted at Ruv. Sarventes saw the opportunity and fired at Tabi.

Ruv lunged at Tabi, grabbing him in a hug, protecting him from the blast. The blast hit direct upon Ruv's back, chaos energy surging through it, burning a hole in back. The resulting blast launched him and Tabi right into a pillar, a rock and a hard place.

Ruv got up, mostly unfazed, helping Tabi up.

"Dad, what are you doing? Kill him!"

"It's done. This is over." He said.

Sarventes looked to Ruv, curious. "You-"

"This isn't right."

"Then I'll kill him!" Selever remarked, completely ignoring you and Nikku.

Selever turned back to the party, Ruv's actions causing a distraction. Not much had happened in the second he wasn't looking.

Except Updike had vanished.

"Where did-" Selever remarked before Updike re-appeared behind the boy. With a hard strike on the back of the neck, Selever fell unconscious. Updike hit the half-demon right on the back of the neck, rendering him unconscious.

"I am sorry, but I had to." Updike remarked. He turned to Sarventes. She was unsure what had happened.

"You and me both know this isn't the right path." He held out a hand for her.

Track 41 - Vigil

"You and me man, we're gonna conquer the world."

Now Playing...

Artist: MPU101

Song: 12bitTOWER

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvpAVvWE-3Y

With Ruv's declaration and Selever unconscious the fight had ended. Per Ruv's decision to end, Sarventes relented, returning to her normal appearance.

Nevermind how the fight had ended you were just processing Tabi and Ruv being slammed into a pillar. You run up to Tabi, praying he was fine.

Tabi still lay on the ground, breathing heavily. Despite Ruv attempting to save him last second the two still slammed into a pillar, Tabi the one sandwiched between a rock and a hard place.

He stared up at the ceiling, panting. You kneel beside him, checking for any bleeding or signs of dying. You stifle your breath, worried, unable to find the right words.

"Are you dead?" Ruv asked bluntly.

"I-ha-I-haaa can't feel my ribs." Tabi moaned. Whether or intentional or unconscious his hand reached to your lap, grabbing it slightly. You lower your hand and hold his. He holds tightly.

"You gonna be okay?" You ask.

"I don't know." Tabi winced, his voice pitching up.

The clouds outside were starting to clear up, reverting back to today's predicted weather. Noticing the lack of fighting inside, the cops determined it safe and readied to engage. From the back they had watched through the glass wall shattered open.

As for the front, while original plans stipulated to detonate a charge, they found another, more economically friendly way in.

Pomona teleported a few times, trying to outpace Huggy. When she managed to get ahead of him, he was overjoyed. He pulled her into a great hug, happy to see she was safe.

Powered by hyperactivity, Pomona got atop him and had him charge the building, ready to help you.

Amelia pursued Pomona closely, angry at her recklessness. Magic equipped she floated by closely, making sure Pomona didn't do anything stupid.

The rein enforcements were coming.

Displo, having communicated with the police made them aware of a 'rescue trio' making their way to the scene.

Huggy was in awe at what Displo had done. The same 'evil guards' he had seen at the factory were now on his side. They were helping him! He was overjoyed, feeling glorious with the assistance he was getting. Surely the villains in there had to be the worst!

So when the trio arrived, Pomona and Amelia both hit the barricade with explosive magic, Huggy charging in with them.

"Bring it on!" Pomona triumphantly shouted.

It was only then they found the fight had ended minutes earlier.

Currently in cuffs and in the middle of being arrested, Sarventes commented. "My, you have my faithful servants."

"They have an unbreakable bond." Updike remarked.

While there was brief standoff, Updike convinced the both to settle down, speaking at length with the two parents. He explained in short what he and his people do, settling differences, correcting what Selever had said and just who and what he was. He stated that as much as "I like to you keep you two close, your actions have damaged the wellbeing of the city. This is a matter of the NCPD now." He added a little sarcasm to the last statement, apparently having been forced to give them up.

It left the issue of Selever, still a minor, and without parents.

In the end Selever was placed back under TGG's care, Nikku used his escape as an example of how poorly TGG 'prisoners' are kept. Updike disagreed but did note that "we will have to approach Selever's case differently." Tabi still had not informed anyone about his role in Selever's escape.

Despite the list of crimes, Updike convinced the police to let Ruv and Sarventes stay just for a few minutes. Tabi wished to speak with Ruv more.

From the escapees, Updike sent nearly everyone home aside from the managers, the Nightstalkers, the trio and a physician.

"We're going to have a debrief about how these people even GOT IN." Updike demanded to a crowd of now scared managers.

The physician's purpose was to look over the team for any issues and deal with Tabi. He had refused to go with any ambulances or 'outside medical personal'.

You understood his paranoia, vowing to stay with him until he got better.

Updike had sent for one for Dalia but she had since been taken away with Ayana and Agoti earlier. Agoti texted you, informing she was fine and just needed time to heal.

As the physician examined Tabi, he and Ruv had some kind of conversation entirely in Russian. They spoke with such an air of familiarity to each other, it surprised you. Whatever they spoke about looked intense. Before Ruv was taken away he fist-bumped Tabi, remarking one thing about seeing him 'on the inside'. He nodded at you apologizingly as he was led away.

It surprised him how the doctor never made one comment about his appearance. He had a revolver full of comebacks but not question ever came. He found it nostalgic, remembering how he was treated before the 'transformation'.

As Updike discussed the Lightbringers with Sterling and Abott you caught some tidbits. She was in charge of some church on the outskirts of the city. You ask Updike, who noted that "it will likely be placed under mine-er-joint IRIS-TGG control. With what has happened there we will have to study it for paranormal activity." He added that it would be there to return to once Ruv and Sarventes had served their sentences.

With that the operation had concluded.

Everyone had taken the next few hours to calm down and rest. Displo, Nikku and Kapi took down the safehouse and dropped off the equipment. Amelia, Pomona and Huggy returned to the schoolkids and then concluded the school trip. The children were overjoyed and couldn't believe how awesome the company was. For them, it was a complete success, something the tour guide found relieving. Agoti and Sol made their way home and Dalia and Ayana remained at the hospital until the doctor's gave Dalia the okay.

That just left you and Tabi. He was in the medical bay a few floors up resting but you felt it necessary to stay with him the whole time. It wasn't like you had other responsibilities (picturing Kapi struggling to offload those massive computers into the van). No. None at all.

You had spent the last few hours with Tabi as they inspected and patched him up. The accident put him out of work for a week but he didn't seem too disappointed by it.

It was not around dinner time.

Like during the first Operation, Displo wanted a debrief. While he had considered doing it at his restaurant, it was Updike who suggested doing it in the lobby of the building.

Scepticism was a given. However, between trusting Displo to run TGG and allowing for half-control between the companies for the church, Displo found himself not as sceptical.

Updike also kept true to his word, providing the payment for the operation as well as additional payment for providing 'an adequate incident response'.

He further added that the attack had damaged the security system, making observation impossible. Quietly, he added that he was 'curious to how such a team came together' and wished to witness a meeting.

"This is merely a personal request."

In the end it was Nikku that added a touch to convince Displo.

While Displo refused to mention or allow TURINGS be used here, Updike supplied TGG's own version, called MALLEUS.

Still in the medical bay with Tabi, you awaited for the meeting to be called downstairs.

The physician had left a few minutes earlier, stating they had to fill up some logs for the procedure. They just left you and Tabi, alone in the medical bay.

Tabi lay on the bed, sitting up. There were a few bandages across his stomach, a white undershirt covering it. He felt much better, so long as he didn't move much. He looked down, inspecting the bandages.

You were just on your phone, reading the initial reports of the incident. TGG had been quick to act, describing the event as an armed robbery gone wayward. Though the Lightbringers were not named the article included a comment from Updike "We were the unfortunate target of a group of religious extremists. We suspected we were targeted as a result of the various artwork and designs our former leader placed on the exterior of the building." All in all, neither the pentest nor the crew was mentioned at all.

It did get a ton of attention, social media lighting up with conspiracy theories.

Now Playing...

Artist: Ric Swanson & Urban Surrender

Song: And Time Lingers On: Part 1

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIwa8A3gOBk

"Hey, (Y/N). Can I ask you something?" Tabi asked.

"Uh-huh?"

"(Y/N). I've been meaning to ask you. I-i-is-" He struggled to say.

"What? Spit it out." You state and put your phone away.

"I, uh, damnit. Nevermind." He said, giving up.

You put your arm around him, causing him to flinch slightly. He was warm to the touch, temperature getting hotter. Looking now it appeared he was blushing.

"C'mon...what's up?"

"W-well. After we finish, finish this whole thing, I think we should-uh-keep-this keep this thing going." He stumbled through his words, each one unsure than the last.

There's a certain safety for him in not knowing. That if it were ambiguous and he was wrong he could always play it off. By knowing, there would be no paying off, and things couldn't go awry.

Adding on, he found himself in a strange position. His gruff, outward personality was at odds with his inner self. He didn't want to be betrayed, not again, never again. And he didn't want to lose another or misread the whole thing.

The outer self finally won this time. That it was time to rip off the band aid and if things didn't turn out the way he hoped, too bad. Life was hard.

"I think I love you." He blurted out.

You smile back.

You knew your answer ages ago, but unsure if he felt the same. He'd always been so stoic, so closed off. You had teased him but could never 100% tell if he felt the same way.

Hell, even kissing him during that lunch date was a bold move. You were silently praying you read the cards right. And you did. Hell, even since you had first met him, his mysterious visage, his brooding personality and his dominant streak that just seemed to vanish when you were around you him.

Plus, you recall. Since the first day you met him he'd changed.

He was clearly nervous.

He looked like a kid with his hand caught in the candy bar. You think if you'd waited any longer to respond he would have a heart attack.

"I do too."

The kiss came instant, Tabi pulling you into him and you two embraced. Eyes closed, you too kissed, finally solidifying what had been on both your minds. You lost track of how long it lasted, an awkward cough from the medic breaking you two out of trance. They just went about their business, trying best to not to intrude.

"You think the others are gonna mind?" You ask Tabi.

He shook his head. "Agoti already thought we were a couple."

You snicker. "Well, just makes it even more official."

"Know I'm not just doing this team cause I like you. I still want to take them down." He said, affirming his revenge.

"Course. This whole stuff we've been doing, I don't know how the law feels, but I still think we're doing the right thing." You say, no intention of backing down.

"Pft. The law's irrelevant. It's just another obstacle."

"Ha! You and me man, we're gonna conquer the world." You shout.

"Dah." Tabi said. Fireworks were going off inside him, that he was not only proven right but proven completely right about his feelings. There still lingered some doubt at the back of his mind. It was something he didn't think he could ever overcome, not after being betrayed once. Agoti had mentioned it to him offhand one day. That it could morph to overprotection and clinginess. But he knew he had to be strong when that thought reared its head. For now, it was cause for celebration.

Having much more to talk about now the conversation livened up. Not so much "how can be kill those people" but more "so how long did you know" and "so Sol's your dad or just guardian?"

With just a bit of time before the debrief, one thing kept bugging you.

"I feel like we forgot someone." You say to Tabi, idly.

"We did? Everyone's safe."

"We got Displo, Pomona, Amelia..." You trail off. "S!"

"We forgot about S!" You say.

"Pft. That monster?" Tabi said mockingly. He had right to, after S stupidly got himself caught.

You text Displo who then reached out to Updike to free S.

As soon as he was let back into the wild he jumped to your phone, enraged that he was caught. You decided it would be best if you avoided the entire confrontation, instead saying that nobody on the team could penetrate the Pontifex Room. Updike had become the target of his rage as he threatened to kill Updike, burn the whole of TGG to the ground and "render this company a footnote on history!" He even went so far as to declare Updike his 'new nemesis' and the 'closest thing this planet has to Dr. Robotnik'. When you jokingly reminded he called Kapi that he rebutted "No. Kapi's my Knuckles. He was a villain turned hero. 'Upnik' slash 'Eggdike' is the real thing. He's my nemesis!"

But, just as fast as he issued death threats against everyone, he found out how long he was under. With a quip "I'll kill you all later!" followed by "Just after my shows!" he vanished.

Tabi shrugged, still not understanding S any more than you did. S was a strange, possibly genocidal creature.

With Tabi holding onto your shoulder you and him made your way down to the lobby.

After reaming out the managers and heads, Updike had them organize a space for the debrief.

Huggy, Pomona and Amelia's entrance earlier had knocked pieces of the sculpture all over the lobby. Coupled with the destroyed furniture and rubble from the fight the place still looked like a warzone.

It was up to those Updike had requested stick around to tidy the place. Just so there was space.

Additionally, they had assembled a few folding tables and food for everyone. A few pizzas, boxes of donuts, a tray of sandwiches and bottles of juice and water. A few couches and chairs lined around, all centred around an area where Displo could speak and present.

It gave the appearance of a simple potluck office luncheon. While the food was typical grocery-store hot-food fanfare you didn't care. You, like Tabi were famished.

And it was free food!

The rest of the crew had likewise arrived, all coming from different places.

Ayana and Dalia were not present however. Dalia was fine, but the two had informed Tabi that while...

'bein a spy was pretty cool

i prefer the more hands-on stuff tho

i think aya and i are going to go on vacation back home

with the money we got

for the rest of the break

im gonna show her how we really fight demons down there

give my thanks to the nightstalkers tell em theyre welcome in apollo anyday

had a great time let's hang out when we get back'

Dalia and Ayana had written in SMS. He wrote a reply back, thanking them for helping. You got it too, understanding that Ayana and Dalia were never meant to be permanent members on the team.

S wasn't present either, too pre-occupied in catching up with the news. Displo gave him a rundown earlier anyways.

Other than briefly appearing the TGG trio barely appeared. Updike did all the speaking, the other two disappearing when the meeting started.

While everyone snacked, Displo and Updike gave the results.

The operation was a success, obtaining a better result than Operation Blindside. Only 2 people were caught and the team demonstrated excellent continuance. Tabi, Pomona, Kapi and Amelia managed to complete their parts without being spotted or identified. Agoti and Ayana were suspected but no hard proof was brought against them that they were spies.

Though the Pontifex room was not reached or even found you and Nikku had reached the Throne Room. That, plus the causing the jailbreak was good enough. Additionally, helping the employees escape as well as bearing the brunt of the battle was also noted.

'That which wasn't originally a war goal but, alas it did provide excellent testing for our incident response plans'. Updike said.

As for the threat of taking a member, Updike officially rescinded it. "You have proved me wrong. You are not just some ramshack team."

You and Displo did fail in the mission's unwritten goal. You weren't any closer to determining who else was needed for the final operation. The only thing that came to your mind was to recruit a demon like Sarventes. Or to recruit a demon expert like Updike. Though the possibility of recruiting either of those two were slim.

It was a moot point but Updike still felt the need to mention that if he were allowed to meddle that he would have crushed the operation far earlier. It was a point that nobody really cared about except S who took it a challenge, getting into an argument with Updike.

In a bout of self-reflection, Updike did note. "I found the organization is very centralized. I don't have a thing against it, but during mine and my comrade's absence the company did not function properly. If there's anything I'm taking away from this, is that I will need a plan in the event of my absence."

As for the prison-break, Updike wasn't happy about it. He stated he knew who was responsible. Displo was quick to state that parts of the operation did go off-contract. Displo did add that Updike had interfered during the operation.

Going through the motions would have led to a legal standoff so both Updike and Displo agreed to drop it.

Alden, the moderator rendered unconscious by Tabi had also gotten in trouble: Not following protocol, abandoning his post and not questioning the appearance of Tabi in a restricted area and hurling racial slurs at Tabi, instead of, obviously, following proper procedures.

"It will be noted in his performance review." Updike said.

TGG was closed for the day and while the lobby was still a mess there, a few security guards loitered around, mostly by the entrances.

Kapi was the one to point it out.

"Is the security really necessary?"

"I'm afraid so. The perfect time to attack would be tonight. Knowing our luck I fully expect that vile woman to appear." You catch Tabi tense up at her mention.

"I will admit however, I am surprised that Nikusa did not make an appearance. With her connections to you people I was fully expecting her to..intervene." Updike commented.

Tabi and Agoti just looked at each other, knowing well enough to say nothing. They also hoped that like the when his name is spoken; that she may not appear.

Kapi's self-esteem took a huge jump when Displo praised him as a good CO. "You are definitely better at commanding than I initially thought."

"I will admit one of my shortcomings, I was too arrogant. I was foolish to think you'd try only such an idiotic approach. For that I apologize." Updike said privately to Displo later.

Though it didn't mean much to you, Displo seemed overjoyed at the fact that the operation had kick-started a potential IRIS-TGG alliance. He knew better than to reveal the master plan to Updike but he also knew the possibility of having Updike joining increased.

He confided later to you that a 'joint IRIS-TGG operation would effectively make us unstoppable'.

Displo stated that the amount of paperwork now required would be immeasurable and that he wished for the team to have a break for the next week at least. He concluded with one final thank you to everyone.

Pomona, Amelia and Huggy had departed shortly thereafter. For not listening to her mother and putting herself in danger twice she was grounded for a week. Later on, long after Pomona had gone to bed, Amelia confessed to Ronan she was quite proud of her.

There were still a few members sticking around a bit nobody in any rush in leaving.

You were going to give Tabi a ride home, but for now you enjoyed his company. Nobody rushed. The two of you sat on a couch, closely together, Tabi hanging his arm around your shoulder.

"So did you know Ruv?" You ask out of the blue. It still piqued your curiosity that Tabi calmed Ruv and effectively ended the crisis.

"Vaguely. He reminded me of a someone I knew in my village back home. "

"You think it's the same guy?"

"He didn't seem to think so. He said he's ancient, but I don't know. The Ruvyz I knew back then would have done something like that." Tabi shrugged. "It's probably a coincidence."

"Friend of yours?"

"No. The Ruv I knew back then had no friends. He was 'marked'. I looked up to him, never really talked to him. He always had this sense of justice." Tabi said longingly. He found the conversation strange, having never really spoken of his childhood with anyone. After a pause he said.

"I'm going to write him in prison in a few days, make sure he's alright."

Jokingly, you asked. "You think he'd interested in joining?"

"Ha." Tabi started to laugh but the pain silenced him. "We'd have to break him out first...maybe. I'll ask."

"What did you tell him anyways?"

"His actions were stupid."

You noted the team lacked someone with extreme strength. But other than Ruv, Updike was the closest person you knew like that. But he gave off an aura described purely as 'corporate'. Heist would not be in his vocabulary.

Agoti and Solazar were getting ready to leave. Before he could leave with a sound mind Sol wanted to know Tabi's arrangements. He approached the two of you.

"You did not respond to my messages. I trust the wounds weren't serious." He asked Tabi.

"No. Off work for a week. Bruised ribs mostly."

"You'll be staying with me I expect. Can't have you healing in a tree. You are not a squirrel." He said.

Tabi grumbled. "I'll be fine."

"Consider my offer seriously. I want you to get better. Not worse." He said. He walked a little to the side, getting some juice, still within earshot.

"Hmph." Tabi said.

"What was that about?" You ask.

"Nothing."

"Aw c'mon. What's up?"

"It's just, I, I sometimes like sleeping in trees, that's all." He blurted out.

"Speak the truth." Sol muttered.

"Can it." Tabi shot.

You felt as if you had someone gotten in the middle of something.

"What's he talking about?" You ask. You saw no way out. If it was some test or Sol trying to bully Tabi you wanted an answer.

"Alright, fine. I don't have an apartment." Tabi spat. "Been living in a park for a year now. Stash my stuff in a tree. I just occasionally stay with Agoti." He blurted out, frustrated.

"You're homeless?"

"That family destroyed me. I've told you this already. Everything, gone. I didn't have any options. Had to avoid cops too." He said, fed up. He pulled his hat down, covering his eyes.

"Huh. So then when I dropped you off-"

"I waited for you to go."

"Wow." You say quietly.

Sol knew exactly what he was doing. Whether or not he said it to force Tabi closer to you or to keep an eye on him would forever be a mystery.

Sol walked away without saying a word. Tabi glared at him, he had ruined a good moment.

"You can stay with me."

"H-huh?" Tabi asked.

"Don't have a spare bed but you can stay on the couch. Just for now."

"Thanks but, I, I can't."

"Well then you should at least stay with Agoti. I know cops. They search through parks for people like you. And especially after today and run-in with Nikusa they're bound to be more active. We can't lose you."

"I don't-"

"Shoot, I can't you lose you."

Tabi grumbled again. "F-fine. I'll stay with you, if you don't mind."

You pull Tabi closer. "Course I don't. But I want you there for at least the new few weeks. Then..." You grin. "We'll see where things go after that." You wink at Tabi.

Flustered, Tabi stood up. "I need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

"Aight. We'll head out after."

With Tabi out of the picture Sol wanted to speak. You hadn't spoken much with Sol, mostly knowing that he was Tabi's official manager and the Agoti's father. He was some sort of music exec, though you knew him slightly more as a lawyer.

He wasn't human either, instead being some alien race that Tabi had referred to but it never took. He approached you, the first time he had ever seriously spoke to you.

"Tabi will be staying with you?"

"Probably."

"It is my understanding you've been nothing but a positive influence on him. As his manager, I expect you not to disappoint him or take his kindness for granted."

Solazar sounded less like Tabi's manager and more like his father. There was a serious look in his eyes that he wasn't kidding, like a dad who told close friend to watch over his son. "He has a large heart, despite the stone wall he commonly hides behind."

"I will."

"Good." He offered his hand to shake.

You expected to get burned but is hand was just lukewarm.

Solazar nodded and walked away, going to speak to Displo.

You ended up driving home alone that night, Tabi stating he wanted to at least make sure he got everything from Agoti's first. He asked you several more times if it was okay, no doubt a showing of his paranoia. It was like he expected you to rescind the offer at any time.

Dalia has left the party!

Ayana has left the party!

Track 42 - Home

"It's a quiet place but it's mine."

Tabi didn't sleep much that night. He should have; between all the action and beating he took his body was exhausted. But all that seemed insignificant compared to the dread that plagued him now.

He had been changed well over a year ago, and had closed his heart off to everything. To have it suddenly warm up; culminating into that homely invitation hurt. It was too much, he caught whiplash from the event.

He had rehearsed it deep down and knew it was a dumb reason. And that alone shouldn't have bothered him much. If Girlfriend had offered it, he would have taken it-No. He shook his head. That was the past. At least, it would have not bothered, if there wasn't another angle.

It made him feel inadequate, a feeling he had tried to bury since the event. He was better than all of them, even Agoti! He didn't need help from anyone. He would get his revenge on them all! But then he met you, things changed. You assembled a team, prepared to take on the motherload. Tabi had been tracking those demons down for a long time; but for the first time since that fateful bombing the Family was closer than ever.

And even though a team had assembled, we were just screwing around attacking companies. He needed to get away from it all, start from scratch with what he learned. Maybe he should just runaway. But then his heart had warmed. He had friends now. But it made him feel inadequate. And he knew it was a dumb reason...and thoughts looped like that till the early morning.

The only saving grace was Snowflake, Agoti's cat. It found her way into his room and lay next to him, refusing to move. It sensed his worry and figured it sickness. Though Tabi tried to shoo her away, she wouldn't budge.

Tabi didn't know when he fell asleep, the voices of uncertainty had somehow blended together to a chorus which finally lulled him to sleep.

No alarm had been set but he found himself awake at 5:01AM. It was blue hour outside a cold glow coming in from the window. Snowflake still lay beside him, sound asleep.

He touched his wounds. They were still sore but felt better than yesterday.

He knew that no matter how much longer he sat her he wouldn't get any sleep. He got up, got dressed and readied to head out. Quiet in the apartment, a quick glass of juice later he was at the door, putting his shoes on.

"Would you like a ride somewhere?" Solazar said.

Solazar stood behind him, a bathrobe on. He never could tell when Sol was watching; a quality he despised in the alien.

"No."

"Then I presume you're heading to (Y/N)'s?"

"No-I,argh. Just leave me alone. I need to think." He grumbled.

"I'm only trying to help."

"Mrm." Tabi didn't have a response. He knew Sol was earnest, but didn't care nor had the energy for a retort. "I know."

Tabi got up and left. It was only when he was outside did his annoyance rise. Solazar was waiting outside for him, now dressed in his usual business suit.

It harkened back to an earlier time for Tabi. Solazar used to trail him, watching what he was up to. He didn't trust Sol at the time, figuring he was looking to have him committed. Sol eventually stopped after Tabi got Agoti to speak with him but this was the first time Sol had appeared just openly.

"What do you want?" Tabi said.

"I wish to observe your actions. I'd say I was concerned for your well being but I know you wouldn't believe me. Even it is the truth."

Tabi started walking, quickly passing Sol.

"You know I've been a lot of things in my life." Sol walked along behind Tabi.

"Uh-huh." Tabi kept walking, Sol hovering behind him.

"Despite appearances I am quite wiser than you make think."

"Ok."

"And if you wish to confide in me I will listen. You have more people in your corner than you think."

Tabi sighed. He wanted to tell Solazar just to go away but couldn't. Part of him did want to speak, not caring that it would disrupt his 'hardened personality'. Or did it? More circles. More uncertainty.

Tabi just grumbled again.

He always thought more clearly after a rest. He knew subconsciously that deep down he was a depressive at night. He had 'sobered' up but was still suffering. While his mind was a mess he had managed to set one goal as his primary job.

Stick with you for now.

Move in.

He half-considered walking all the way across town but knew he wouldn't be able to handle Solazar pestering him the way there.

He stopped. "Can you give me a ride to my tree? I need to get my stuff." He asked.

Solazar smiled. "Of course. Let's go."

"And a coffee?" Tabi asked quietly.

"Absolutely."

And that's how Tabi found himself in the passenger side of Solazar, really Agoti's car. Solazar hadn't spoken much, deciding to wait it out till Tabi finished his coffee.

"Just here." Tabi muttered.

They pulled into an abandoned construction site, many holes having been dug around; even larger piles abound. Scaffolding had only partially been set up and had been covered by tarps. The ground had been breached to a sandy level, the likes of which ruined the surrounding air quality. A few cabins sat on the land, a place where the managers could easily put down plans and double as break rooms.

There were a few lights scattered around for working at night, though connected to generators which had long run out of power. Surrounded by office buildings on the various sides it was an empty lot amongst an enterprise area. It always made nearby officeworkers feel that their view would soon vanish, a grey building covering it.

But despite its unfinished atmosphere, there was nary a construction vehicle in site. A complex and forgotten property, it was one that traded hands far too many times to know who was actually in charge. In such an awe of confusion it the site was left abandoned.

Tabi got out of the car, Sol following. He already knew the answer but felt it necessary to ask. "Is where you keep your stash."

"Mhh-hm."

The two walked to a particularly unremarkable area, just diagonal from a light and across from one of the cabins.

Any evidence Tabi had buried anything here was long gone, breezes covering the sandy evidence.

He knelt down and started digging with his bare hands.

As clumps of sand whisked by Solazar, he felt the need to clarify something.

"Does this mean you've given up on your revenge plot?"

This question in itself was a game, one that Tabi picked up instantly. Maybe he could use that logic to get answers out of Agoti, but no way would it work on him. And if he said no, then no doubt Sol would have assumed Tabi was the same old hardened soldier, playing a cover no doubt to get to that girl. But he knew he couldn't lie either.

"It's not important right now." A non-answer.

"I see."

Tabi felt something hard under the sand. It was still there.

"You know, you aren't the only one after her. Despite what her and her family may have done to us I myself have interest in her."

Tabi didn't respond. He'd heard Agoti mention that Solazar had his own search for that girl. Solazar had told Agoti that she was extremely dangerous, that she wasn't as she seemed.

"Though I won't let my goals consume me." More bait Solazar put out.

He also knew that if this was some bait to incur empathy he wouldn't fall for it either.

With enough of the bag uncovered, Tabi reached and pulled. It was still stuck, some of the sand still wet from how deep he had buried it.

"Me and her, it's not over. But for now, I have more important things to deal with." He said, hoping it would satiate Sol's mind.

Like the bag was buried, Tabi knew to dump the subject, less Sol become more suspicious. "You think I'm being a burden on (Y/N)?"

"Not at all. I overheard your conversation. (Y/N) does have a point. Police will be snooping; even more after yesterday's event. They will likely take it as a humiliation; that TGG and even IRIS were far better of being 'cops' than the cops."

Tabi lifted the bag up. He held a black duffle bag wrapped in plastic. Meant to keep the bag dry, moisture inside indicated it failed. He just hoped that things inside weren't too water damaged.

Unwrapping it and tossing the bag he looked inside. He had packed it when he first decided to take revenge. AK-47's, pistols, magazines to boot, replacement parts for all, some grenades, a bulletproof vest and more. Solazar couldn't help but look, the sight now confirming his suspicion from way back.

"Very illegal you know."

"It's not a crime to own weaponry."

"Perhaps; but burying at a dead-drop might be. And then question arises of where exactly did you get these weapons?"

"Do you have a problem with it?"

"No. So long as you know the risks."

Everything was still where it needed to be. Tabi zipped the bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Let's go."

He walked past Solazar, appearing as if he wasn't even standing there.

Sol grabbed Tabi's shoulder. "I'm afraid we'll have to wait. It seems like we have company."

The faint of the blue hour had faded, blue haze replaced by the first yellows and oranges of the sun. Tabi looked up, seeing what Solazar had stopped him for.

Perched like a gargoyle would a building arch stood a dark figure, the sun just not hitting it at the right angle. Upon Tabi's glance he saw it burst into a wide smile, it's teeth gleaming in the coming light.

He sighed. "Of all the people."

"Nikusa." Solazar muttered.

Feeling she was introduced she jumped down, landing onto the construction site, kicking a cloud of dust up around her. AS he shadow emerged from it Solazar readied himself. The fires on his hands glowed brighter, Tabi even able to feel the temperature displacement.

As the sand settled, she became visible, a wolfish grin crawling onto her face, eyes hungry for domination.

"No combat. I can't lug these around fast." Tabi remarked. He was annoyed and, as much as he wished to use the weapons knew it would attract unwanted attention. Sol nodded and stood upright, his fists returning to regular temperature.

Nikusa scoffed as she settled on the two beings. In front of her was an incomprehensible duo. Tabi and Solazar.

"Huh. What a strange combo." She remarked. "A terrorist and...Daddy." It didn't sound right to her. Not suspicious. Just strange.

"Hmph. If I didn't have more important things to I would end this right here and now." Solazar spat.

"Oh? You looked just ready to go a second earlier."

Solazar just glared at her, Tabi likewise.

"Hmph. So cross. You'd think I exist just to bully you guys." Nikusa let out a large yawn making no attempt to hide the sleepy-ire she had. "I'm just here for fun today. Almost my bed time anyways." She stretched slightly before shaking her head like a cat would.

"I find that hard to believe."

"Hey, I was in the area. Saw you two burying, or I guess digging up a body. Thought it would be worth a talk. See what two of my favourite people were up to."

Tabi sighed quietly, making sure she didn't hear it. She was looking for a response, even something as small as they would've gotten me riled.

Nikusa stepped forward, a glint of fury flashing across her eyes. For just a second they glowed red until they didn't, Nikusa suppressing the emotion.

"I can't believe you all threw a party yesterday and didn't invite me! It's the talk of the town. I saw that little imp too. He was all happy he would get to meet his parents. Oh, why I could've just smothered him he was so cute!"

She took another step forward.

"Ruined my night too. One moment I was getting the evangelized! Then the next I hear both the preacher and her choir boy were arrested."

Nikusa put her hands on her hips. "Damn shame too! Her mass was quite interesting."

"I am surprised you didn't make an appearance anyways." Solazar muttered.

"What? You think my world just revolves around you? There's bigger fish in the sea."

"Whatever. We have to get going." He stepped forward, ignoring both Nikusa and Solazar. He had far more important things on his mind anyways.

But as he walked by Nikusa stepped in front of him, leaning towards his face. He got a faceful of her chest, a clear act of seduction. But as she showed off, Tabi just kept walking, more important things clogging his mind.

Surprised and astonished that her usual methods didn't work she got up and jumped away. It was time to change strategies.

"Hm. Why so glum, chum?" She asked.

"..."

"Tell mommy what's got you so down." She said, pursing her lips together as she mocked him.

"It's none of your concern." Solazar said, getting closer to Tabi.

"Of course it is! I care deeply about my Tab you know~" She glared at Solazar. Facing Tabi again she said sensually, "More so than that pencilpusher. Isn't that right?"

But Tabi wasn't listening. He was already starting up the hill to the car. For once he was glad Solazar was present, he knew if Agoti were with him things would have turned out much differently.

"Ah, you're both no fun...I got it! Must be that morning sleepiness."

Nikusa pulled out a phone from just under her dress. It had a cracked screen but still looked new.

"Here. I'll give you my phone number. That way, you can invite me next time you have a throwdown."

"I'll pass. I prefer this need to know basis." Tabi grumbled.

Nikusa skipped after him. "Come here you!"

"HEY!"

Nikusa grabbed Tabi and easily lifted him up in the air. He dropped his bag, it rolling down the hill. She held him by the scruff of his hoodie.

She held him with one hand, the other poking around his hoodie pocket. He struggled, but little could be done. She was always a strong person with little care for others wellbeing. He just hoped he didn't get too flustered.

"Here we go." She pulled out his phone and dropped Tabi right onto the sand.

"What the hell!" He shouted. Solazar couldn't help but stifle a chuckle, finding the event rather humorous.

Nikusa tossed him the phone.

Tabi grumbled. "Fine." He would have considered that more than enough justification to kill her but he knew the weapons were more important. A single curse ran in his head. If I didn't have that, you'd be dead!

Solazar would have intervened, but alas Tabi ordered him not to.

Nikusa gave Tabi the number, forcing him to enter it as a contact. He listed it as SATAN. She had even made him text her, just to ensure he wasn't screwing around.

A flash in her eye and she turned to Solazar. "Here." He said and threw her the phone. She greedily entered her number, also checking if it worked.

"Do not hesitate to contact me should you ever get tired of living."

"Ah, you're such a kidder, Sunny." She joked.

Feeling a bit more tired she turned heel to leave. "Oh! And if you ever see that cloud guy. Tell him I'm through with him and his goons. They're just so boring. Far too formulaic. I have new man anyways. He much cooler than you Tabi. Glows too!"

She winked at Solazar.

"And if that bushy guy refuses...well tell him I'm burn down his little prison. And yes. I know where it is." She smiled, though the two of them could tell she meant war.

"Fine." Tabi muttered.

"Well toodle-do-"

"Hold on a second." Solazar said.

"Oh, daddy got something else to say?"

"I do. Do you know what the Morioka clan have been up to late?"

Nikusa thought for a second. First Tabi and Solly teaming up. Now a question out of left field? My, it was a strange day.

"Well. It's been a long time since I've been in space. Hm. Last I heard of them they were in the middle of that revolt. Crown princess vanished. And something happened to that Incognito guy, but ehn. Never really paid attention to them."

A straightforward answer. Tabi was fully expecting her to make some joke.

"Should I be worried?" She asked.

"No. I don't think so."

"Well. I'll be in touch. Bye." Nikusa said awkwardly. Solazar had ruined her exit.

Tabi paid her no more mind as she jumped away, again, not wanting to give her any kind of reaction. When she was finally gone, Tabi asked.

"What was that about?" It was a strange sight to Tabi. A rare cordial conversation between Solazar and Nikusa, even if brief.

"Nothing. At least I hope so." Solazar replied. He started walking, eager to get back to the car too.

"What's the Moira clan?"

"Don't worry about it. Intergalactic politics." With a pause, Sol added. "Come now. I presume you wish to head back; clean yourself up before you head to (Y/N)'s."

With stuff to do Tabi texted that he'd be around the restaurant later, once again asking if you were okay with this. You of course didn't mind. He was quite a paranoid person. Though you couldn't blame him. During Earthquake, Sol mentioned something about Tabi having a 'troublesome past'.

The restaurant was quiet today, some bot you'd never heard of running things today. He referred to himself as NXDL or NDXL, it didn't commit to memory. He was apparently some DJ running the place as Displo was "tied up in meetings all day".

Tess was given the day off as well, though she ended up coming in anyways, bored out of her mind. She did have a few questions for you, mainly where you were, what Displo was up to, why did those kids show up randomly. She wasn't a member so you just kept her out of the loop. Plus, between the epic fight yesterday you still felt a little out of it. Displo did as well, swamped from the fallout.

You had seen him briefly in the morning carrying a pile of papers to his car. He mentioned the 'alliance' was going swimmingly but that there were "many moving parts to get correct". You helped him carry some stuff, Displo mumbling about the alliance, the window cleaners were pissed, the property damage, summoning the police, the pentest reports.....

He started trailing off listing every loose end he needed to cover before exasperating himself and running off. With the added workload you doubted if he even slept (recharged?) last night. He smelled of oil too, a quality you sought not to say to him less he short-circuit from all the things stuck in his head.

Hours later you had wished NDX-something and Tess a good night and now, with Tabi made your way back home. He had come arrived with a backpack and large duffle bag. By the clanking it made you figured it was jam-packed.

"Well this is it." You said as you pulled into the driveway.

"You sure we weren't followed?"

"Pretty sure. Nobody cares about us anymore, I wouldn't worry about it." You say.

Heaving both the backpack and duffle bag, Tabi waddled inside as you held the door for him.

"It's a quiet place but it's mine." You show him in.

You'd seen it hundreds if not thousands of times before. Your suburban house, walls painted a simple pale green, furniture you hadn't changed much since the place was first bought. Any new furniture was likely second-hand stuff, found through social media marketplaces, and appeared well lived in.

Perhaps the design was a little 2000s but alas 'if it's not broke don't fix'.

While the entrance opened up to a living room you didn't intend for Tabi to stay there. There was a spare room for that he could occupy. Plus, you guessed there would be an issue with your other 'house guest'.

"That's the blue guy's corner isn't it?" Tabi asked, pointing to the pile of pre-school toys and pillows in the corner. He took his shoes off, finally feeling comfortable to do so.

"Yep. He's staying with Pomona right now though."

"He doesn't bother you?"

"He's basically an oversized dog. Mean when we had that storm last week he stayed in my room trembling but that's 'bout it."

"Hm. Well he'd better stay away from me." You shrug, still not understanding Tabi's apprehension to Huggy.

While it was quiet in the house, there was a faint sound of talking coming from your room. Not physical people talking but the tinny sound indicated it the sound emerging from your computer. Tabi took note of this instantly, instinctively reaching for the knife he stashed in his hoodie.

"Ah, guess S is around." You comment.

"That demon is here too?"

"Well barely. Haven't seen him much, goes out all night and day. Just stops by to watch the news."

"Lotta wackos here."

"Aren't you *literally* terrorist too? May as well join the party."

"Hpmh. I have my own problems, but I am not a sociopath."

"Anyways, lemme show you the spare room." You lead to him a room just at the end, beside the kitchen and closet.

You'd been using it as a storage and gaming room. It had a large television atop a dresser, a large mustard-coloured couch in front of it. It was briefly a 'gaming' room though you'd barely touched the stuff lately.

There could have been place for a bed but the boxes of crap rendered that impossible. Only way a king-size bed would've fit is it someone organized them all.

Aside from windows letting in light the walls were barren, except for a single out of date calendar hanging from the wall. From the corner diagonal to the door laid a sliding closet, empty and barren.

You'd briefly considered turning that room into an office but between the intensity of the cases and the little time you spent working at home, you ended up just working at your desktop.

"I might have a futon or something in the crawlspace if you-"

"This couch is fine, really. You've done enough." He dropped his backpack and duffle bag and jumped on the couch, laying down on it.

"This is...nice."

"Got it at a discount. Pretty good, eh." You say. You take a seat next to him, pushing his legs aside. He merely moves them, sitting up in a cross-legged position.

"So what's in the bag?"

"My secrets. See for yourself."

You drag the duffle bag and open it. It was filled to brim with weaponry.

It looked like a traveling merchant's inventory. Guns, rifles, ammunition, grenades, bottles and rags for Molotov's, fireworks, and more. You could start a revolution with the crap that was in here. There was armour, bulletproof vests and a helmet with the visor sawed off, probably to account for Tabi's snout.

"My personal collection." Tabi said proudly. "We're gonna need it for the finale."

"Damn right. Wow, you got everything. Geez man, some of these is police issued." You were amazed, even noting that some of the handguns had a police badge on them. Not NCPD but still cop 'machinery'. Serial numbers were scratched off too.

"You don't mind if I keep it here, right?"

"Pfft. No. We can stash it in the crawl space or that closet. Whatever's safer. Believe me, most of the people in my department practically had entire armouries at home. They didn't care."

Digging through the bag you found two flat objects at the bottom.

"I'm just missing my flamethrower and pyrotechnics. Agoti's brother needed to borrow them." He said, still gloating of his collection.

"What are these?" You pull out a frame with a photo of a cat and a passport.

"Who's this?"

"..It was my cat." Tabi said, the fires in his eyes flickering. "They got to him first." He closed his eyes.

Ruining the mood you flipped through his passport, trying to change the subject.

"Born in Russia, eh?"

"Yep. Been way longer though; I don't remember much back there."

"Well. Let's get this packed up."

"Right."

The next hour flew by. You helped Tabi move the guns to the crawlspace, closet and dresser. Boxes flew around the room as it became organized, the couch padded down and dusted, the television was tested, S came and went, not caring much that Tabi was around and finally, the room once known as storage had become a spare bedroom.

Dinner was made eventually and you and Tabi took a break, sharing some leftover pasta Displo had given you. Another added bonus of working for him; he had no problem giving the staff any leftover food.

Tabi grew interested at the bowl of candy left on your counter from Easter but you tell him not to eat it.

At some point Tabi had lost his hoodie, revealing a plain white t-shirt under it. It was the same one he'd gotten back at Pomona's, though you couldn't have known that. You saw that under the shirt was the faint glow of his body, still present, translucent in the light.

"What are you staring at?" He asked. A serious look arrived on his face.

Not wanting to get caught staring you make up the first thing that comes to your mind. "How's your stomach doing? You took that hit pretty hard."

"I'm fine. It barely left a scratch."

"You sure? Doc said-"

"When they did this to me it gave me some sort of faster healing. Don't tell anyone. I don't want that cloud guy to think I'm some freak."

"Secrets safe with me. You aren't a freak."

"I know. But that guy and his people wouldn't care to split the difference. Doesn't even make sense, that cloud-guy himself is a freak. He should be locked up by his own rules."

You shrug. Back in Tabi's room you prepare to put away the bag, finding something else in a side pocket. A horse brush. The same kind of palm sized one that farmers used to brush horses, collect loose hair.

"That's mine." Tabi said bluntly.

"Oh?" A teasing mood arose. "For your skull?"

"Yes. That a problem?"

"Nah, just weird."

"You try scratching bones. It's a lot harder than it looks." He glared, suddenly serious.

"How 'bout you let me try?" You jokingly ask, holding up the brush.

Tabi blushed slightly. "Well, maybe." He looked away. "Can we just get back to unpacking already?" He said, annoyed.

It all seemed a perfect night and when you said good night, you detected some loneliness. Loneliness Like he didn't want to be left alone or those things were just too good to be true. There was a sense of longing in his voice just barely been audible.

You pressed him on but he just clamoured shut, a rhetorical(?) question about good channels on TV.

There was no rush. If he had problems, there would be time tomorrow to discuss. You left him to his devices and went to bed. He wished to be left alone after some time. Said he needed time to think. A lot had happened in the past few days.

He also added a statement that he intended to resume work tomorrow. He wished to prove himself not a burden and that he didn't need help. You disagreed but had to hand it to him. He was determined.

Now Playing...

Artist: Stig Baasvik (Andrew Hewitt)

Song: Skipper the Eye Child 2

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTghizOqK6k

The sleep didn't last very long before you were awoken by a muffled cry. At least, you thought it was. In your groggy state you checked the computer. S wasn't around.

"...didn't mean it..." You heard mumbled coming from outside the room. There was always a gun kept in the nightstand. It was a locked box but even half-asleep your hands remembered the code.

You draw the handgun and step outside the room.

"Mrrhmmm..."

"Huggy?" You whisper. Must have been Huggy. Wait, he was at Pompom's.

The spare room door was ajar. Light was blinking in it quickly. "Oh, right." You cough.

You put the gun back in its spot and check out the spare room.

Tabi lay on the couch, head resting on the arm, facing the TV. It looked for a second that may have been awake but skulls can't close eyes. The lack of fire in his sockets indicated he was indeed asleep. One hand looked as if he was clutching his heart, while the other was off the couch, just above the floor.

The TV was on mute, displaying reruns of some auctioneering program. The light from the television lit the room, partially lighting Tabi's face. He was shivering under the blanket, or rather what was left covering him. His shaking had knocked most of the blanket off him, now strewn rather lazily over the bottom half of his body.

His hunting knife, usually stashed in his hoodie was on the ground, unclear if he had been clutching it just before he fell asleep or it had fallen off his tossing.

He wasn't shaking from the temperature. It may have been a mid spring night but you never kept the house cold. There was erratic breathing as well, panting even. Nay, between the mumbling and trembling it was clear he was a having a bad dream. Or rather, less a dream and more a nightmare.

He mumbled incoherently, only a few words understandable. A combo of groans, words that he didn't want this and to get away, all mumbled through clenched teeth.

It was a night terror. There was no doubt in your mind about it.

"Tabi?" You whisper. There was no response.

You get a bit closer, whispering again. There was, again, no response. "It's okay. Everything's alright."

On one hand you had heard many stories and recommendations to not interfere when someone was having a bad dream. And for each one of those you'd seen animals consoling others in times of distress. And he didn't deserve this. But it could turn out grisly. And there was risk, especially with someone like Tabi.

His hand was loose, hanging off the sofa, occasionally twitching. it was like he was reaching for something not there.

First things first you carefully move his knife out of reach. Not wanting to startle him you kneel down in front of him. Carefully weaving your fingers in his you lift his hand slightly. He felt cold, even despite the warmth in the room.

"It's gonna be okay." You whisper to him. He stopped mumbling and started to hold a bit tighter, as if the movement was involuntary. He did stop shaking somewhat. A thought crossed your mind that being a 'boney' person he may react to heat differently but-

Tabi started grabbing your hand much harder as he shifted. He didn't cease his trembling but it did subside.

"Tabi?" You ask, a bit louder.

Like a spark in dry woods, his eyes came alive. He gripped tighter than you thought he could, like a mill crushing rocks. It felt as if you had lost circulation to your hand but just as fast as he had crushed it he loosened his grip, flames fixing their sight on you.

"Y-you okay?" You ask, a little startled. "You were having a nightmare."

"Thi-this is real, r-right?" His voice was hoarse and dry, quiet as could be. The fires in his eyes glowed dimly.

"Far as I know."

There was no 'stoic, hard-on-the-outside' personage this time. Tabi let you and grabbed you, pulling into a hug.

For him, all reality was uncertain. Even this moment may have been his mind playing tricks. It was all too good. Too lucky. There was no way things could have gotten so much better. There was no telling this was a dream or not.

He finally let it all out.

"It'll be okay. I'm here for you. I promise." Your shoulder was getting simultaneously singed and dampened as tears mixed with flames in his eyes grew hot. He cried smoke.

The night went by without much fanfare, you and Tabi speaking into the wee hours. It was the first time he'd spoken about what had happened, everything that had happened. He remarked between coffee that Agoti was the only other person who knew roughly the whole story. From life growing up in that village, all the way to the goat-binding ceremony he was forced to undergo.

It was concluded with a joke. "Now that you know my secrets. I have to kill you."

In-character for him, but it made a little light of the situation. It did give you a piece of honour though. It was a pact. One that would bind two souls.

Track 43 - Glitch in the System

"I just wanna say that if that were a real match I would have killed you all."

*** 2 Days Later ***

You weren't sure how you were talked into this; especially after last time, but here you were.

Mobius.

Or at least S' twisted depiction of it.

Yep. Back in S' realm.

In VR.

Under normal circumstances and on a Sunday you would have been at home or working the beat, resting at your desk. But today wasn't a 'normal' day. Not like the last 2 weeks had been normal at all, but that's beside the point.

In-between the negotiations between IRIS and TGG the topic of the 'missing VR set' came up. It took a bit of doing from Updike and co but Displo finally admitted that yes, IRIS was in possession of it. The exact source and how it was obtained remained a mystery, no doubt Displo covering for you. Regardless, Updike had requested its return.

Of course, IRIS had already managed to reverse engineer it and were hard at work on their own clones of it. They no longer needed it.

During said negotiations the question then came up of why Displo would even steal a VR set. To which his response was to 'bring S into the fold'. He bypassed the whole Kapi and S arc, deciding it wasn't relevant.

The conversation then steered towards what exactly S even was. To Displo he was a 'trade secret', something even IRIS didn't know about. Not wanting to delve into that can of worms he spoke more about the how the VR set helped with both operations.

He had hoped that be the end of it but Updike persisted. Somehow the conversation returned to the stolen VR equipment and Displo made an at-the-time offhand comment about S shooting your shoulder.

One thing led to another and Updike's curiosity grew, finally leading to one proposition.

"You, your team and I shall enter S' realm and we shall do battle with him. If you can convince him not to act so violent, of course." Updike wanted some re-assurance that he wouldn't die there at least.

Ultimately Displo agreed under a barrage of eyes; executives from both companies eager to watch. It rested on S' back, Displo hoping quietly that S refuse the challenge. After all, S wouldn't want so many labcoats observing.

The game proved bad as upon S learning of it became excited at the prospect. He even agreed not physically hurt anyone but stated "the pain will feel very real". He also relished the opportunity to have a fight with Updike on 'equal footing'.

The other two of the triumvirate were not present, instead watching from the real world, making sure S did not physically harm Updike.

It was such a spur of the moment thing they didn't seek to name it anything. This wasn't some operation, it wasn't some big battle. It was a skirmish that Displo just sort of sprang upon everyone.

Of course, the original proposal had to be mended. There was no way Huggy would get in VR, let alone even sit still to set it up. The headset scarred him, likely resurrecting some buried memory about other scientists and tests done to him.

Nikku tried to get out of doing it too; not trusting that the VR set wasn't some memory eraser. It took Pomona having to show her to accept it wasn't some trick.

Pompom's entry into the fight was also disputed however. At first Updike stated she not participate, he himself not trusting S to not try and kill her. Of course, his complaints null when S refused, stating that he didn't want to fight her, that it would be too dangerous. It was a rare sight to see S take a stance like that.

Of course, after Updike had established the health system and that nobody be harmed did S change his attitude suddenly. That just left Displo opposing. It wasn't until Pomona, in a fit of anger, accidentally called Displo dad. He quickly agreed to let her in, deciding it would be better to spare her from the embarrassment, her cheeks quickly going flush as she realized what she had said.

There was also the matter of Pomona's magic. While S didn't understand the concept he managed to set her up a system that functioned similar. An IRIS technician agreed to standby to watch in case Pomona's spellcasts in the game actually caused her to cast in real life.

Tabi wasn't the least bit interested, stating that he would be busy putting in overtime too. He spoke with conviction, that he had something to prove. He was still determined to at least pay some form of rent, prove he wasn't taking advantage of kindness. However, a phone call with Solazar later Tabi was forced to sit out.

"How fast you heal is not my concern. I will not let you injure yourself further. There will be no returning to work until at least Tuesday."

Tabi sat fuming, stating that while he would enter the simulation he wasn't going to fight because "Sol says I can't strain myself. Hmph."

Memories of S nearly killing you the first time, only having been saved because curiosity got the better of him came flooding. With Tabi, you also decided that you weren't going to be fighting S.

He seemed to agree, stating that "you were such a bore the first time." He also threw in "no sense of cinematic combat" but you had just ignored it. It was clear S was just trying to rile you up.

So finally, in the simulation you were. Green Hill Zone.


Sitting underneath a pixelated tree, playing cards with Tabi the others engaged in combat nearby. That strange doll had returned as well, taking a seat on the ground where you and Tabi played. You could tell he was unnerved by its presence though he didn't speak about it, choosing just to ignore it.

You never did figure out what it was supposed to be, the question to ask S completely slipping your mind.

Tabi had his back to the fight, completely uninterested in the battle.

A UI appeared in your vision, displaying icons of all your friends, a healthbar for you and one displaying S' current health. Of course the whole thing was a farce but it was needed for 'equal footing'.

Now Playing...

Artist: Chris Kennedy

Song: Storm Alert 2006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VmDSCJ0Z7g

The distortion had already begun. S was eager to get started. There was no gradual corruption or mystery. Everything went wayward.

The usually bright Green Hill sky had turned to a shade of black, devoid of textures or features. With a flick of his wrist, S turned the serene green hills, mechanical trees and landscape loops into a burning heap of madness.

The zone was on fire.

All except where you and Tabi sat, which remained just as serene and picturesque as before. There was a sign fitted to the tree, purposely made to look childish that read "LOSERS", but alas you weren't going to budge.

In the middle of a burning, pixelated, distorted field stood the team. Updike, Displo, Pomona, Agoti, Kapi and Nikku.

S stood in front of them, floating a few metres up. Everyone's mind was awash with different thoughts. Some frightened, now realising just what power S had, some excited from the prospect of a battle and some just thinking of how they were even going to get through this alive.

"All right~" S said, salivating at the thought. "Who's bold enough to go first? You know what? How 'bout you all come at me." His words with dripping with confidence.

The strategy was pretty simple as Kapi saw it. Just rush him. He couldn't take everyone out right?

Updike knew better than Kapi. He clasped his fists together. "Stand back. Allow me to show you all how we really handle abominations, No-Holds-Bar Style." He declared and stepped forward.

"Okay big guy. Let's see what you go-" S arguably had the fastest reaction time currently. After all, this was his world; he could see things as they happened in the exact frame.

Nay it was not he didn't react fast enough, it's that even he, in his eldritch wisdom did not expect Updike to actually do that.

Updike jumped, the sheer impact shaking the ground. It even

knocked the tower of cards you were making over.

In almost the same frame he grabbed S' head and slammed him into the ground, the impact from that knocking Nikku over.

As Updike got back, S floated up. "What the hell was that?"

Updike merely clenched his fists. Triumphantly announcing, "That is true power. Not just one gained from magical inheritance."

"Whatever, spare me the lecture. I can do better!" S shouted, it was quickly becoming unclear if S really intended to kill Updike. He was pissed.

In what almost appeared like a lightning bolt S charged Updike, the two locking hands in a game of mercy. Updike held strong, his boots creasing the dirt. There was a field of pressure coming from the two.

As Updike had taken charge the rest of team just stood surprised at his strength.

"Watch this." You said. Slowly re-arranging the cards into a tower, stacking each upon the other you did.

"Most impressive. But." Updike yanked his hands down and raised his knee. It connected, smashing S right in the jaw. Updike let go and S stumbled back.

Agoti was nothing less than impressed. Even standing away it he could feel the impact.

S wiped his nose, blood staining his glove. He looked at it. He bled before, all the time, but this time it...hurt. No. It must have just been that health thing. He looked at his, a chunk had been taken out. There was a brief moment of self-reflection, that quickly passed as he looked back to Updike, eyes narrowing on the weatherman,

"S-should we do something?" Kapi asked Nikku.

"NO!" S shouted. "ONE AT A TIME!" He emitted some kind of blast that launched the two away.

Clearly a new strategy is needed. S thought. Yeah! There's gotta be a weakness like the real Eggman. S spat on the ground and blinked backwards, just before Updike could grab him.

He blinked again, appearing behind him. "Let's do this differently." S said, confidence seeping back in.

Though he wasn't physical large enough he grabbed Updike into a headlock, lifting him off the ground and throwing him at the nearby cliff. As Updike got up, S rose his hands up.

The ground began to shake.

And Tabi sighed as all your cards fell down.

The trees, bushes and even robotic enemies rose from the ground, shaking in the air. Some rings rose too, forming a circle around S.

Displo had been watching the scene but like Kapi was confused at what to do. He wasn't programmed, let alone built for combat. He had silently wanted to sit out but after forcing Nikku in, felt he had an obligation as a team member.

"Watch this!" S said happily. A wolfish-grin appeared on his face, sharp teeth bearing.

With a single flick of his fingers trees and bushes started flying at Updike. It was faster than he could have reacted so Updike just crossed his arms and blocked it, the tree exploding on impact.

A great rumbling had began to be heard as the normal green hill zone music grew distorted, an amen break adding to the noise.

S had placed himself just in front a cliff. Agoti saw an opening. He dashed away just before a bush could hit him and starting running. With the speed physics he found himself going faster, it would be a perfect opportunity to run the loop too!

"Don't worry guys! I'll help you!" Pomona shouted, ready to fight. She wove her hands, ready to cast a spell.

No magic came forth but a metal pole knocked her aside. S was just throwing all over the place, aiming more at Updike, but nonetheless attacking all.

She flew a metre back and pushed off the pole, brushing herself up.

"Sorry P. I can't play favourites today." S said in the chaos.

"I-I'm fine." She got up.

"What the hell do we do?" Kapi asked. They had stayed down after the initial blowback and we're remaining low, hunched behind some rocks.

"I don't know! I don't even know what I'm doing here!" Nikku said.

"The point of this is to prepare for future fights in operations!" Displo shouted from the other side.

Why he was even bothering to answer was lost on Nikku. Displo started to raise one of his sleeves. He waved Kapi and Nikku over.

He was readying the LOIC, only as a last resort of course.

"Well, really we're going to loot the place. Probably won't kill them." You mutter, overhearing Displo.

"Speak for yourself." Tabi muttered to you. He had begun re-stacking the cards in a castle.

Holding his stance against the endless barrage of objects wouldn't work. Updike waited for an out.

Now.

Updike jumped out of the way as one of the enemies smashed into the ground, exploding into hundreds of metal pieces. S seemed to have predicted it as another one came crashing by, hitting exactly where Updike moved to.

Ignoring the damage, he ran to the loop, planning to hide and rework strategies.

"Oh running off meathead? Had enough?" S said mockingly. He threw a few more objects at the loop, exploding accordingly.

"Got you now." Agoti muttered and jumped off the cliff towards S. Agoti grabbed S' arms and pinned them as he held tightly.

"You cheating-" The two started to fall. Enough playing.

Agoti blinked only to find himself still in the air but S gone. S had blinked behind him, then grabbing Agoti's neck.

"Nice try." S threw Agoti hard as he could away.

The digidevil landed near you, his impact knocking over Tabi's cards.

Like nothing had even happened Agoti just got back up and brushed himself off.

"Ah forget it. I'll show you in the real word." Tabi said. He turned back to Agoti. "Enjoying yourself?"

"I am actually. You could use the exercise y'know. Better than playing cards."

"Whatever."

Agoti ran back to the fight.

"You ever played War?" Tabi asked, shuffling the cards.

This was S' domain. He could see everything from chunks away. And he would have been able to see every single move. Of course, all this would have been the case had he not been earlier humiliated by Updike. He was blind with anger, even if his voice didn't express it. And, still furious because of Updike he did not come to this conclusion.

How the hell did I not see Agoti? He thought.

His self-reflection didn't last long as he saw out of the corner of his eye.

Using the games jumping physics, Nikku jumped up holding Kapi. She threw the cat-boy into S. Kapi, holding one of the fallen signposts swung, smacking S square in the face.

S blocked it, but Kapi still landed the hit, the two crashing onto the ground.

"AARGH!" S screamed.

A flash of light emitted from S as he fired into Kapi.

Tabi wasn't paying the least bit attention but did notice the text at the bottom of his vision.

Kapi has been eliminated.

"Darn." Kapi said as he re-appeared beside you. "Did you see that?"

"No."

"Yeah. You guys are really pissing him off."

"I didn't know he was so crazy." Kapi muttered and stopped. The realization that back then, S had originally wanted to kill him, set in. He wouldn't have stood a chance.

Nikku ran back to Displo, getting ready to hide behind him.

"Maybe we should do this in turns?" Pomona asked. "Like in RPGs." She was speaking to nobody in particular. However, the question did get S' attention who turned to her, hunger in his eyes.

"You sure you want to do this?" He asked sadistically. "I mean, you are one of the players. I don't want to hurt ya." He said mockingly.

With a better grasp on the games magic her hands glowed.

"It wouldn't be fair if i didn't!" She fired at S, fireballs. He easily dodged them, charging at Pompom. She lit up a lightning bolt, shooting it at S. It hit him but he did little stop him.

Their little showdown didn't last long as Updike re-appeared behind S.

Holding one of those golden rings, he lunged at S, quickly fitting it around his neck.

Updike saw it as nothing more than a simple act. Strangle S. He didn't account that the ring would just phase through the monster.

S turned his head 360 degrees. With a huge smile he declared. "Haha, really? That's how I heal you dolt."

"No matter." He grabbed S' throat, ready to ring it.

"I also don't breath either." He said, more annoyed now.

There was a brief second where he considered that Updike really was out for blood, the weatherman's eyes burning. That this man may just have been more violent than himself. I'll show him violence, true fear- Updike punched him, proceeding to wrestle and god-willing break the abominations legs or something.

Now starting to get really fed up, S started glowing. He was going to show what happens when you get too close.

Displo had the LOIC ready, seeing S glowing he guessed his next action would be an explosion. He raised his arm, waiting to see if Updike could last.

S' health had lowered significantly.

Agoti too saw the scene also picking up that fact. Pomona was in the way, casting healing spells on Updike. He ran to Pomona and snatched her, shouting something drowned out in the blast.

You had started watching, mostly just seeing Udpike smashing S' face in. Just as the explosion occurred, you expected to see a notification that Updike had been defeated.

A burst of air blew all the cards away, much to Tabi's chagrin.

As the ash faded S teleported back, a smug smirk on his face. But like everything in the match so far it had been a disappoint.

Updike merely got up, health bar clearly indicating one single point left.

Either way, S was astounded. His eyes were wide, mouth agape. "How? How the hell are you still up?"

No. It couldn't be a one. He had zero health. S blinked, still unsure if there was a sliver left.

Updike brushed himself off. "Behold the power of-"

Updike and S had been eliminated.

Displo had fully expected Updike to have been eliminated and let the blast eliminate S. Upon seeing the Udpike fine he realized that perhaps he shouldn't have started. Once you start the LOIC you can't stop it. And that's precisely what happened.

Now Playing...

Artist: QtamO

Song: A Longing

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWNW_inSur4

The fight concluded shortly thereafter, everyone returning to the real world. S seemed a little bittersweet but his psychopathic tendencies quickly returned. With a crooked smile he waved to everyone. "See you all soon!"

Of course, the minute you were back in reality, S ported back to your phone, noting he wanted to catch up on all the news he missed!

With things back to some semblancy of normal the crew returned in the lobby, a lunch prepared courtesy of Displo.

S continued to tease your refusal to fight but again, you weren't going to take the bait. "I just wanna say that if that were a real match I would have killed you all." He added, completely serious.

"Dully noted." Displo said.

Glad he was trapped in there, you still don't know how Updike even got S to agree to not kill him. Come to think of it.

"Hey S, actually one thing."

"Mhm?" He asked, attention back to some video stream. He sat in a theatre, one lone person amongst many seats watching news on the big screen.

"That doll that keeps appearing when I go there. What is it?"

"Oh that's, hm, I don't think his name is pronounceable for you. He's another apparition like me. Doesn't like to speak though. Dunno why but he likes you. Beats me."

"He's a doll?"

"That's just how he wants to appear. He's bound to me. Basically like my sidekick. I guess?" S shrugged, not giving his full attention. You leave him, now noticing Displo looking at you strangely.

His head was crooked and even though he had no expression you could tell he was perplexed by something.

"Something the matter?" You ask.

"Ah yes, (Y/N). I have something for you." Displo pulled out a small cardboard box. "A token of my gratitude for helping to assemble this team."

"Really? Let me see."

You open the box. Amongst some tissue paper was a black combat helmet, the likes of which you saw during Earthquake. This must have been IRIS' version.

A modular helmet, consisting of three pieces, the dome, a gas mask and visors. There was a chin strap present for tightness and it felt like a hard plastic. Freshly produced, it still smelt of some undetermined chemical.

"It is a prototype IR team helmet, complete with minor augmented displays as well as comlink. And it does it's connections on a local, anonymized mesh-network making tracking it significantly harder."

You weren't sure what it meant but as you pop the helmet and goggles on a UI lights up. It fades after a few seconds but so does the vision of the helmet. It didn't appear to be obscuring your sight.

"I see you've noticed the seamless integration. Was quite tricky to get working."

"Wow. This is incredible. How does it work?"

"I won't bore you with the technical details. It does not need to be charged often either."

"They made this for me?"

"W-well, I did actually. But I am sure they will pick up the design." He added casually.

"Displo, this is amazing. Thanks so much." You take the helmet off, inspecting it further.

The inside, laced with padding had something etched onto the backside of the head-part.

"Let's take 'em for all they got!"

"That was my work." Displo said proudly. "A constant reminder of our goals."

"And get them we shall." You smile back at Displo.

Updike had left earlier, satisfied with the results. S tried to pester him to explain how he survived the explosion but Updike refused, citing that he would not reveal his secrets. Before he left he officially declared Updike as his new rival, that he would work to destroy him and TGG.

With everyone sufficiently full, Displo began the meeting. There was a lot to discuss today.

"S is on the upper echelons of what we'll have to deal with. If we perform the actions for the main heist correctly then a fight we can avoid. But, even in the event of combat I doubt any member of that family would be deadlier than S."

"You could say that again!" S beamed, no doubt enjoying the praise.

"Well that's a relief." Pomona said.

"Of course it's still worth mentioning that our actions in Earthquake weren't perfect." Displo looked to Tabi as he spoke, your partner just looking away shyly.

"Anyways, we still need a few more things in place before I believe we can seriously start planning our attack."

"Yeah, um, how close are we?" Nikku asked. While she'd been filled in and briefed by Displo there was still much she was unclear about.

"We need a few more members before we can start. (Y/N) and I discussed privately what kinds of people we need."

"Yeah." You spoke up. You had written them down on your phone. "We need a demon, or at least someone who can communicate and understand them. We need an architect, or someone who knows designs of building in and out."

"Updike personally told me they have a person in mind."

"He's in on this?" Agoti asked.

"Not necessarily. All he knows is that we are in need of a 'building specialist'."

"Though I do think it just a matter of time before he figures out exactly what we are doing." Displo added.

"Right." You say. "We're gonna need a few getaway vehicles, drivers too." Kapi's ears immediately perked up. "We already have one driver, Kapi, but we're gonna need maybe 2 others."

"I wanna suggest someone." S spoke up.

"Hm?"

"I want a robotic guy, or like, someone who can build me a body."

"An engineer?"

"Yep! We need someone like that!"

You make a note of it.

Scrolling through your phone you continue. "I also personally think we need someone with a military background. Current or retired it doesn't matter. Just someone who can help us with any potential fallout and scenarios. Basically someone who, with Displo can command. Need someone with high strength as well. We need muscle."

"What about Updike?" Tabi asked.

"We did consider him. However, I still don't fully trust him." Displo said. "If things change I will put forth the question."

"He can't be trusted. Dude locked me up!" S bellowed.

"We need a demolitionist. Someone who can explode and blow stuff up. We already got a pyro." You motion to Tabi. "But we're gonna need to bomb our way in I think."

"Again, if any of you are aware of potential candidates inform me asap." Displo said.

"Hm. I think I know someone." Kapi said, scratching his chin. "I used to go to school with them...but he vanished years ago. Dunno where he is now."

"Does he have a name?"

Kapi paused for a second as if trying to remember how to pronounce it. "Whitmore." He said. "I guess you could say he was an 'abomination'." Kapi said, the word unfamiliar to him. "He was kind of a bully though."

"Very well. I will look through our databases and see if a Whitmore has crossed our paths. (Y/N), if you would please check your databases. Otherwise we shall open an investigation into him."

"I'll try."

"And Kapi. Please look into your old contacts if you can reach him."

Kapi shrugged. "Aight. I don't know if I can though."

"I have a question." Pomona asked, raising her hand. "What's our group called?"

"Called?"

"Yeah! I thought we called it the Crew but mom told me that's just what we are. Does our group have a name? "

Displo thought for a second. "I'm afraid not. Perhaps we shouldn't, not wanting to attract undue attention."

"That's not cool though! I think we should have a name."

"I agree with Pompom. We should call ourselves something." Nikku said.

"Well what do you propose then?" Displo asked, again not fully understanding the reasoning. He considered the group to be an IRIS offshoot, a nameless team of likeminded individuals.

"Hmm." Pomona thought on it. After a minute of thinking intently she proclaimed. "What about The Carnival?"

"The carnival? Why?"

"Well none of us here are normal. We're all weird." Pomona shrugged. It sounded better in her head.

"Well if you put it like that then I suppose I am in favour of it." Displo said.

"I don't care." Tabi muttered, not giving a straight answer.

"Any objections? Well, if nobody has anything against it then why not. We'll be the Carnival."

And thus, despite existing for weeks already, the Carnival had finally been christened.

Track 44 - A Shadowy Meeting

"As long as we get one I'm sure these rats will scatter."

*** An Unknown Amount of Time Later ***

A room in an unclear part of the city. It could have been downtown somewhere, could have been in the outskirts. Its location was simply not known.

Likewise, while its location shrouded in secrecy, so was its inside.

Ambient lights, if the room had any, were off, a few torches lined the walls instead. But despite the added flames, the room stood too dark to identify. An electric light stood at the top of the room; though its glow restricted, it projected a circle onto a round table. Lighting the circumference of the table, not enough to identify the material or objects present yet, but enough to show that many people sat at this table.

Unseen were three empty chairs as well. The first owner was not old enough to have a seat, the second had voluntary given it up and the third lay sitting in a jail cell, far, far away from this room.

A single light bulb, crowded by a lampshade of a strange symbol hung from ceiling as well, directly in the centre of the round table. It projected a perfect hexagram, revealing the table as being made of some ancient, long forgotten bark. It only further added to the strangeness of the room.

There was a low rumble that was just barely audible to the guests. And the whole place just faintly smelled of sulphur and smoke. Murmurs were present too, but loud enough to discern its purpose.

"Two attacks." A motherly voice spoke, commanding silence. It had a rough tinge to it, but as she spoke they all listened.

"IRIS and The Greater Good." She paused. "I don't mind it; hell knows those people deserve it and worse."

"But...?" A second voice. Sarcastic in tone, it also hinted at curiosity. Unseen it had a smile wider than any of the other participants. Its voice sounded androgynous, gender unknown.

"This recent attack not only damaged our supply lines in the northeast, it also took out a member of this. Very. Council. The nun." The feminine voice continued.

"I've heard that her and that gopnik are going to prison for a long time." A younger voice snickered. It had similar qualities to the woman, but still developing. His voice remained deeper than hers, eliciting a sort of bored, pretentious drawl. An upper classmen, even if he refused the title.

"The nun? She was barely a member. She wasn't one of us." A feminine voice, different from the first one spoke up. She sounded more bratty, words rounded as if she was smiling as she spoke. Unseen, she played with her long nails.

"Wait. Did she give up the council?" The upper-classmen asked.

"Not to our knowledge. She did act alone. We didn't sanction her to go and blow up that spot." The motherly voice responded.

"Yes, yes. But her arrest and church wasn't the only things that happened. It brought those two companies into an alliance." A fourth voice added quickly. He spoke similar to the woman, with authority and security. He had a husky voice and grizzled appearance, a voice deep and with a low bassy growl.

"..okay?" The sarcastic voice, it asked quizzically, not seeing the point in all this. "We'll just rebuild. I've got plenty of friends that want in. Easy peasy."

"Yeah, I mean. Don't we got spies and crap in them too?" The younger voice asked.

"The problem isn't IRIS or TGG or that nun. It's 'who' is doing these attacks that's the problem." The husky man said.

He threw a folder onto the table, a few pictures pouring out. They were all covertly taken, none of the subjects aware of the photographer's presence.

Six photos were laid out. One of the guests reached across and organized them, knowing to do so without asking. So far, that person had not spoken yet.

One of a robotic butler,

One of a SWAT-team member, fully decked out in combat gear,

One of a digidevil, strange creature who was human in some way,

One of a cat-boy, appearing scared,

One of a 'rabbit-girl' and her human watcher,

One of a man with a goat skull for a head.

It remained unseen but one of the guests grinned at the sight of this goat-man.

"There were others but we believe this sect is the one attacking these companies." He said.

"This 'group' formed some time ago. They've been launching attacks on these places companies. This wasn't even the first one on TGG. There was another one several nights before." A new voice said. Deadpan and emotionless.

The grizzled man stood up, the sound of his chair moving heard. "They're getting bigger and bolder. I don't think I need to remind you all that nearly every single person pictured here has a history with us."

"They do???" The sarcastic voice asked.

"23, shut up. You best not get on my nerves further."

The grizzled man said. "Several of these chumps went directly against me. They're getting smart. And, I don't think this attack on the Nun was random. They lured her out, kidnapping her child to do so. It's an admirable tactic, I'll give 'em that."

"We're also sure this is the same group that wrecked our concert a year back too." The deadpan voice said.

"So what do you propose?" The grinning being said.

"We need to cut the cancer out before it metastizes. It is just a matter of who to send. After all, you know how much an 'art' this needs to be." The grizzled man joked.

The commanding woman spoke up this time. "Well. Let's get started then. Who still owes us?"

The two bosses of the meeting took charge, divvying up who would do what.

"We'll put a bounty on this one, put it to the League."

"This one we'll call 'big red' to deal with. I'm sure he'd love some roast pig."

"Speaking of pigs, I need to get a few off my back. We'll serve this one up to them."

"I think I should deal with this one personally. I doubt his people would even try to go after us. And I want payback for what he did to our concert."

"This one's mine. He's been gunning for me ever since that prank I did on him. I'd love to see him try and come for me. I'll send that scrawny kid after him, having him bring me his body."

"What about her?" A clawed hand, shielded by a silk black glove pointed to the last photograph.

"Ech. So innocent looking. Do we have any favours we can call in? Preferably on the violent side?" A disgusted reaction.

A maniacal grin formed on the face of one of the guests. He spoke with a high tone, gleaming with excitement. "Weeeeeell. IMP still owes me a freebie." The upperclassman said.

"No. You save that." The deadpan voice said. "Sending I.M.P. is a last resort. That's overkill."

"What about that yellow-headed freak!?" The sarcastic voice practically shouted.

The grizzled man shrugged. "Sure. I'm sure he'd like rabbit stew. And he wants out anyways."

"You sure that's gonna stop her though?" The clawed hand pointed at the other woman in the photo.

"She can come at us if we she disagrees. We'll be ready for her."

"Very well. What shall we christen this fine event?" The leader spoke with more valiance, proud at their actions.

"We'll call it a Night of Fire!" The sarcastic voice bellowed.

"Now is the matter of how many of these acts shall be successful." Two of the younger voices said. They were eager to turn it into a wager.

"Bah, who cares? I don't expect they'll have any centralization. As long as we get one I'm sure these rats will scatter."

"Aw, you're no fun."

"Then that settles it. Oh! I wanted to talk about Vesuvius. Since the Nun is out can we use her as a source?" The younger voice said.

"Huh. That's actually a good idea. Alright. We'll let them get their 'situation' sorted out. We still need one more "

"Ehn give it time pops." The smiling being said. "I'm sure one will pop up."

"Let's wait then. There is nothing more to discuss."

There was a gorgeous sunset outside that was hidden to the dark room dwellers. Not that they would care, of course. It poured through a dirty glass wall in an apartment, two people being lit up by the glow. One stood staring out into the distance, the other looking at a massive set of recording equipment.

The former stood tall, taking up the size of a Christmas tree. She watched, though not looking so much at the sky as she was listened to those last words.

"There is nothing more to discuss." Faded out, static taking over the audio stream.

"That's all I got. The line's gone dead." The recording engineer said. He spoke calm, albeit bored sounding.

A bird fluttered by, knocking awry some of the wires. The machine came to life again, a brief piece of a conversation heard.

"-reater Good was attacked a big ago."

"Good. I hope they all die." Two voices were heard. The engineer shut it off, the audio coming from and irrelevant spot.

"That all you need?" The engineer asked. He glowed a bright green that made the room appear emerald.

She turned to him. "It's perfect. This is going to be so exciting!" She squealed.

Track 45 - By the Fireside

"It was a good night."

Now Playing...

Artist: Keith Mansfield

Song: Stepping Stones

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nDD5DhlWTE

Late at night, the full moon on display above the clouds.

Cold outside it was, that time in spring when the heat just begins to come in the day, while the nights stood frozen still. It was the perfect weather to hide in a house and hibernate in. The ground had just about thawed but still it too early to plant.

A lot had happened these past weeks.

Within the living room the light was dim. Though seldom used you had the fireplace going, the television atop it displaying some forgettable movie. Between the fireplace, pictures on the telly and he shine of the full moon through the windows, the scene was picturesque.

As two flames danced in the fire you sat upon the couch staring at them, content in where you were.

All was not quiet as the sound of the embers filled the room with light cackling calmly. There was another sound though, the light snoring of the person sleeping atop you, sprawled over the rest of the sofa.

There were three of you at first. You, your new partner and a new friend by the name of Agoti. The latter had excused himself earlier, departing for the night.

It was now just you and your partner, Tabi. Sometimes called "Goatboy" by you playfully. You insisted it had nothing to do with the two horns upon his head. "It means 'greatest of all time'"! You had said. It was a boldfaced lie but he grew to accept it regardless.

Today had been a good day. Hell, it had been a good week. The glow of Earthquake still rode strongly, yourself still feeling invincible from its success. And even then, you were still a tad giddy at Blindside and the mere fact you had a crew now.

Once upon a time you'd never heard of the guy. Once upon a time you hadn't heard of anyone on your crew. Just a regular detective gunning for chief position. Looking back now it all just seemed like a distant memory. A 'past life' if you will.

Tabi too, having gone from a terrorist and serial bomber to now an arborist and "security consultant".

In his 'past life', he was some superstar producer and musician. You'd never really listened to his stuff nor did he speak of it much. Then some incident occurred and, well, it broke him. A similar thing happened to you, yourself still remember Daddy's face and the horde of demons.

"The next time you see me, my face will be the last thing you see." Daddy had said to you. Revenge still burned brightly, though tonight you weren't interested in that kind of warmth. Tabi, likewise had the same feeling, though he had his 'watershed moment', effectively changing there.

It was several nights ago that he finally broke down and explained everything.

You had only met him by chance, when you too were at a low moment in life. Connected by a mutual feeling of revenge you two clicked. It was a bit rocky at first, he was always distant, seemingly uninterested in friendships. Even as recent as before that watershed moment he was a stonewall of a person.

He was more interested in 'working relationships', ones that would help take down the 'twisted family' as he referred to it. At first a duopoly had formed but as timed progressed more and more enemies of the family and interested souls saw fit to join. There was a team now and they were called The Carnival.

It was revenge, or 'justice' you sought to inflict on the family as well. Gears had spun into motion. From pentesting a shadowy organization to 'pentesting' and nearly destroying a competitive company to hopefully breaking into that compound and taking 'em for all they got!

Tabi was the first one involved.

And then Displo had joined,

And then Agoti tagged along,

And then S forced himself into this,

And then Kapi per his barter,

And then Huggy Wuggy was saved,

And then Pompom and her mother volunteered,

And then Nikku crashlanded onto that farm.

You had a few meetings with him, slowly but unwritten getting closer to him, as he did you. You found out later that he had people look into you, track you, just to make sure you weren't put up to anything. Another thing he had confessed. You ultimately didn't mind it, after all, you figured in his position you'd have done the same thing.

No doubt the thought of you just using him or just a temporary alliance till revenge was served. It took a bit of deliberation, conversations with the people that considered him a friend to make sure.

He had to face his own feelings and worries this was temporary, that you would say no. Even on that night a few days ago, his subconscious invaded his mind, putting thoughts into his head this was all an illusion.

You recalled the first few meetings where he felt he was a mutant.

That you allegedly made fun of his 'partial invisibility' and that he was a 'freak', something you barely noticed when you hung out. It's not like his neck and stuff weren't there. He was still a regular guy.

It's not like there were many 'normal' people in this town anyways. Even on the team you had an anthropomorphic apple pie and a restaurateur with a TV for a head. He cooked food but couldn't even taste it! And that's not even getting into the eldritch being that was trapped in your phone!

At the time you mentioned that it was impossible you were making fun of appearance. "Look at Agoti! Here's the exact opposite of normal!" You said to him. It took time but he finally stopped caring about his appearance, even using it to his advantage on the missions he did.

And once he had finally figured out you were genuine, that you meant what you said...once his shell had been broken, once he had the watershed he changed. Even these past few days you saw a massive difference.

Agoti had picked up the difference in Tabi's personage too, noting to you that 'Tab has changed'. Much as he liked the guy, Tabi was a hothead at best, loner at worst.

He didn't even believe at first Tabi managed to click with someone else, let alone in that way. Then, when he found out it was you, he was only more surprised. He thought on it and then finally said, "yeah, it makes sense you two would go for each other."

He had started to become clingy at first, constantly wanting to be at your side at all times. You didn't mind, it was clear he was worried about losing you. With all the change that had happened with him and you these past few weeks you figured more was coming. This was just another phase in this relationship.

As time will on he will start to back off, confident that you weren't going to double-cross him. He insisted on helping, paying rent or whatever, not wanting to be considered a freeloader. You of course didn't, but that was just how he was raised. During the week he'd work as an arborist and the nights would be the meetings and you two hanging out.

Occasionally people would try to hit on you. Working at Displo's, especially towards the end of the day would bring those sorts of people in. Tabi had caught one once, having walked in a bit earlier. He damn-near threatened to 'gut them like a fish'. You were his and he was yours.

Through conversation and a lot of teasing and this team you had made his mostly forget about his 'old life'. He didn't speak about it much anymore, instead focusing on the days ahead. Today had been the final pieces you had him leave behind.

To his surprise you and Agoti had taken him shopping for some new clothes. Though he was apprehensive at first he relented upon you pointing out the fact he pretty much only had one outfit. And while one of the team members had sewn it he really did need more cloths.

Such was a side effect of sleeping in parks, hiding out in dingy places. Only carry what you absolutely need.

Of course, he ended up purchasing the exact same blue hoodie, jeans, gloves and shoes.

With some time left in the day you helped him retrieve the rest of his stuff from Agoti's pad. His flamethrower, oxygen tanks and a bit more weaponry. After that he and Agoti came over, just to hang out as the sun set and to watch a movie or two.

And that is where you were now.

You were sitting on the sofa normally, by an armrest, while Tabi had decided to lie down over the whole thing. His head was resting in your lap. He had previously been staring up at you, unspeaking before nodding off.

As indicative of the light snoring and empty eyeholes he was completely out, engaged in a deep rest. He had been staring at your eyes before he dozed off. He was so content in his sleep that he didn't even notice his hat fall off, revealing his boney head.

It was one of the few displays of happiness he had shown in the past few weeks you'd known him.

He always had that cool, calm, collected and emotionally distant persona but you'd made him crack a few times. Rare for him to show some kind of emotion other than stoicism and anger.

You guessed that after all he'd been through, this was one of the first times he felt truly safe. There were no policemen, no rabid animals, nothing to interrupt his sleep tonight.

Your only worry was that he would start dreaming of that girlfriend and her father again. Every once in a while he would dream of his 'past life' and it would turn into a nightmare. There was already one incident where he damn near had a panic attack sleeping, completely unsure if the past few weeks were a dream or not. He needed something just to confirm your existence.

You'd console him. As you hung out with him more, it started to happen less.

You were sure it wasn't going to happen tonight. But if his mind did start playing tricks on him you were close by to stop it.

You give his head some scritches, lightly rubbing it and playing with his horns. He seemed to like it and leaned into your touch, a smile growing on his face. If he could see himself now he would have been embarrassed, chastising you for doing it to him.

He snored soundly, arm wrapped around your back and other arm off the couch. He never let go of his knife but this time he did. He was really asleep. You clutch him a bit tighter, just to remind him you were there.

You hear rummaging in the space next to you. Huggy was adjusting his pillow fort, peering at the scene. He didn't speak, nor know how but he could understand.

He was another strange being that had arrived in the recent weeks but he remained an occasional guest in your house. With how he was preparing for sleep, you notice the time.

With how late it was you were starting to drift off as well. While comfy this was not the best way to sleep.

You give a nod to Huggy and move Tabi's head out of the way, carefully placing one of the couch pillows under it. With one of the spare blankets you cover Tabi, leaving him to his dreams.

Huggy emitted some kind of sound that you understood as "Good night." You tell him to leave Tabi alone and he nods back.

The mission wasn't over, not by a long shot. You, Tabi, and every other member of the team would get revenge. But for now...it was time to rest.

Even if you chose to not go after the family you felt you had already won.

It was a good night.

The End. (for now)