(Peter's Retreat)

*September 19th, 1918*

*8:15pm*

The Rocket Launcher was aimed at Akito's house as Peter Ermakov smiled gleefully as he locked on to his targets.

"W-What in the world is that?!" Maria exclaimed in shock as she observed the weapon that Peter Ermakov was holding in his hands.

"It's a rocket launcher! We have to leave the house NOW!" Anastasia cried out in fear as she looked at everyone with fear.

"What's a Rocket Launcher?" Alexei asked with a hint of coneren in his voice as he looked at his big sister.

"I'll tell everyone later but please listen to my warning before it's too late" Anastasia said.

"She's right! Everyone hurry outside!" Maria commanded as everyone in a rather panic mode attempted to make their way outside.

"I love it when they run like cattle NOW DIE!" Peter Ermakov cried out as he attempted to fire his rocket launcher however he was stopped by a voice.

"You fought well but I think that's enough for today Mr Ermakov so come back with us" John Claude said with a smile as a portal opened up as he and Natasha stepped outside of the portal.

"Who is that man? He gives me bad vibes" Kazumi asked himself as he looked at the pair.

"T-That's John Claude! The man who wants us dead! He's the one that Kaede had been talking about this whole time!" Anastasia answered back in shock as she felt a sense of fear in her.

"So that's John Claude? Does he plan on fighting in Peter's place? Bartok is unconscious while Kazumi is injured so Akito must fight this man…" Olga thought to herself as she stared at what was transpiring.

"Quite the party I wasn't expecting but you did good Mr Ermakov so it's best to come back with us…" John Claude said with a smile as he clapped his hands in the process.

"W-Who the hell are you?!" Akito cried out as his vision came back while he stared at John Claude and Natasha.

"But I was close to killing those scum! I can finish this mission!" Peter Ermakov argued as he clenched his fists in anger as he dropped his weapon to the ground.

"I'm aware however as you are aware Kaede is currently training to fully master the Phoenix Sword so why not put you under some hard training" John Claude said with a smile as he chuckled.

"Fair warning that this could take two years or less but that is if you want to take that risk" Natasha said as she smiled.

"Two years? No way in HELL I'm waiting that long! At this point I'm just wasting my time here!" Peter Ermakov spat out in annoyance.

"Well maybe for YOU but that remains to be seen but I'll explain everything if you come with us" John Claude said with a smile.

"Fine! ALL of you scum got lucky but once we meet again in two years then you will all be as good as dead!" Peter Ermakov spat out as he spitted at the ground as he walked towards the villainous pair while grabbing his weapons in the process.

"I suggest your little two friends train as well or otherwise they'll be toast in two years or less" Natasha advised as she laughed.

"I gotta ask them something!" Anastasia cried out as she ran across the fields to comfort the group.

"Anastasia! Come back here!" Olga cried out as she saw her sister running closer to the group.

"Who is that man?" Yelena wrote as she showed Tatiana her response.

"He's a very bad man, that's what I know for sure" Tatiana responded back as she held her more warmly as she looked over to see Anastasia standing in front of the portal.

"What do you want you Romanov scum! Scram or else!" Peter Ermakov spat out to Anastasia as he gave her the middle finger.

"You guys won't win! Kaede will help us achieve the future we deserve! Once Kaede is done with her training then all of you guys will lose!" Anastasia said in a motivated tone of voice as she glared at the trio.

"We'll see about that! I'll be waiting to see the terror and fear in everyone's faces but until farewell!" Peter Ermakov said as he gave one last smile before he and the other two walked towards the portal.

"I wish we could chat longer but I have work to do but anywho toodles!" John Claude said with a smile as he, Peter, and Natasha attempted to enter the portal before being stopped by Anastasia once again.

"Why make us wait? If you are so set on killing us all then why not do it here and now? Is it because you are scared of us? Is it that we have something more powerful that can overcome anything?" Anastasia asked as she awaited for John Claude's response as he turned towards her direction.

"It's simple. You and everyone else want a good future right? Well prove it then! I expect Kazumi, Bartok, and Kaede to become stronger and defeat us but until then and as of right now I don't see that happening so I'm giving everyone a fair chance to fight for their future so take it as you'll but anywho toodles!" John Claude answered with a smile as he, Natasha, and Peter Ermakov went inside the portal and left the scene while the portal closed in the process.

"I-I never thought he'd leave.." Akito said to himself as he saw everyone walking towards him.

"Master! You did amazing! I'm glad you were safe!" Kazumi said with a smile as he winced in pain as he was helped by Olga.

"Both of you fought well. Thank you to the both of you and once Bartok wakes up then we'll tell him everything" Akito responded as he smiled and gave a thumbs up. "Ermakov is a violent man. I'll never forget what he did to Miss Demidova, Mama, Papa. Mr Trupp, Doctor Boktin, and Mr Kharitonov! They were truly precious people in my life and those terrible people must pay!" Alexei cried out as he held back tears as Olga could see his reddish face.

"It's okay my sweet Alexei. You can let it out and it's very good for you" Olga advised as she gave him a warm smile.

"She's right kiddo. I promise you that me or Bartok will defeat this man and avenge their deaths!" Kazumi said as those words struck Alexei.

"T-Thank you Mr Fuyou and Olya!" Alexei responded back as he eventually cried deeply into Olga's arms.

"Thank you so much for protecting us. You and Bartok are truly kind and wonderful so I'm forever grateful for the both of you" Yelena wrote as she showed Kazumi her response as she had a warm smile on her face.

"Anytime. People like you always give me a strive to accomplish something and I'll be sure to change the future no matter what!" Kazumi replied back as he gave Yelena a warm hug.

"Kazumi and Bartok fought hard for our sake. We must forever hold this in our hearts" Tatiana said to everyone with a smile as everybody returned the smile as well.

"It's getting quite dark so let's head back inside so me and Tatiana could finish treating Kazumi and Bartok's injuries" Olga advised everyone.

"You're right. Once everyone's injuries heal then we'll start training okay?" Akito said to Kazumi with a smile as his former student nodded his head in agreement.

"You got it! I can muster some new tricks or two" Kazumi said with a smile as he looked towards Maria.

"How's Bartok doing by the way? Is he doing okay Maria?" Kazumi asked with a look of concern on his face.

"He's doing fine. He's just resting from his battle but it seems he's gained consciousness but is tired from his fight but Thank you so much for protecting us. I truly appreciate it with all of my heart" Maria replied with a warm smile.

"You're welcome and it must be Kaede's influence that strived me to keep going forward despite the odds and even Maxim's as well but I must train for everyone's sake as well" Kazumi answered back with a smile as he and Maria shared a good smile.

"Let's head back now…" Akito said to everyone as the gang made it their way back towards the hideout with new motivation for the inevitable rematch.