Hello my lovelies! So sorry about the delay on this - I just couldn't get it to sound like how I wanted it to :/ BUT finally got it to work for me, thank you for all being so patient 3

Enjoy!

"Move, move, move!" I chanted, ushering my team to go faster. Jack had now swapped out with Steve and Linda had become navigator as the Doc strained to keep up with us. With help from Brian, I had managed to delay the twin guards long enough for my group to get a head start on the tunnel. Unfortunately, they didn't stay down for long, hence our rushing. Glancing over my shoulder, I still spotted the distant glow of lanterns as our UnderGround enemies gave chase.

"Are you sure you're okay, Rina?" the Doc, despite concentrating on his steps, sent me a worried look. I winced and tried to take my mind off the flesh wound I now carried on my right arm, a gift from the tough brawl we had with Mizuka's men. I sent a quick smile.

"I'm fine, Doc. Just more worried about getting out of these tunnels alive."

"Not keen for this to be your final resting spot?" joked Brian, always trying to brighten the atmosphere at the most inappropriate of times. Linda didn't even need telling as she stretched backwards and slapped the side of his head.

"Don't be an idiot, Brian. You know she has a certain somebody to return to."

"Urgh, Linda. Please." I groaned, now slightly wishing my physical wound would suddenly flare up and distract everyone from her comment. The voice from our piggy-backer piped up.

"You guys weren't there but before we left-"

"-Steve, if you value your family jewels-" I warned, face beet red.

"Shutting up now."

"You'll have to tell us the gossip once we're back in our bunks, Steve." Brian chuckled, shaking his head.

"Focus, people!" I called out, trying to steer their attention away from me and my affairs. "Entrance out is coming up. Everyone know who is splitting with who?"

"Brian will be escorting Steve and myself. Jack and Soph fly off together. The Doc goes with Leader Hazura." Linda recalled perfectly, making all eyes turn to her. She made a face, mocking offence.

"What? Am I not part of the Special Ops too?"

"Exit up ahead!" alerted Soph. Our eyes snapped to attention at the rapidly approaching exit from the UnderGround Maze. Freedom was close but not close enough. If we couldn't shake off the thugs in the crowd, we'd never be able to make it back to the Corps Headquarters.

However, all my worries vanished for a minute, as we burst into the fresher night air. The stuffy atmosphere from the UnderGround filtered away and the evening moon peeked at us through the late sky. Hurrying out of the dark path, we prepared to split. Although the entrance was hidden in a back alley, the noise from the markets was still able to be heard from here. I let a grin slip as my gaze wandered above me to the sky. With no roof over my head, the sky was the limit-

"Get them!"

-and was also the best escape route out of there. Taking a quick head count, everyone was still together and still moving as one. If we wanted to lose these chasers and rendezvous later, it was time to split. Flexing my fingers, I stretched my arm out and wrapped it tightly around the Doc's waist, making him jump.

"The Doc and I will bid you farewell first. Stay safe, that's an order."

"Yes sir!" my team replied.

"Ready to act as a decoy Doc? I need your acting skills on." I glanced over at the doctor and twitched the fingers on my free hand. He gave me a strange look.

"What do you need me to - aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!"

A loud laugh exploded out of me at his intense yell of surprise as I triggered my 3DMG to yank us vertically up the buildings and away from the UnderGround exit. As planned, Doc's scream caused the offenders to look up and distracted them long enough for the rest of my team to leave the confining alley. When we reached rooftop level, I shot out some metal lines and whisked us away from shooting range.

I made a sound of intrigue. "That was a beautiful scream, Doc. I didn't know you were so passionate about acting."

Looking down at the world briefly, the medical marvel quickly averted his eyes and stared into space.

"I wasn't acting."

I snickered, checking over my shoulder to see how many followed us. "I see."

Continuing our direction, I swung us to the edge of the teeming night market. Luckily for us, everyone was busy enough as it was without having to notice a pair of humans flying over their heads.

"You have anyone around here who could cover us for a while until it's safe enough to rendezvous?" I questioned, different options whirling around in my head. The Doc paused in thought.

"Most likely. Why?"

"We have a couple on our tail. If I drop you off at the market, you can blend in and find us somewhere to hide out while I take care of these men."

"Rin-"

"You're not wearing our green uniform and the men will be less likely to look for you. Unless you really want to test how I can fend off these thugs and protect you at the same time, I suggest splitting."

Without leaving him space to argue, I spun us around and gently dropped the Doc onto his two feet again in a secluded area. He grabbed onto my jacket before I took off again.

"How will I find you again?"

I waved a hand dismissively and began reeling back up the building. Getting ready for a full on assault, I unsheathed both blades.

"Don't worry, I'll find you."

Moving swiftly away from where I dropped off the Doc, I paused on one of the surrounding rooftops. Peering down, the dim lights from the market let off a pale orange haze in the night sky.

Right, now where to find those-

"Hold it Hazura!"

I plastered on a smile and focused my gaze to the right.

"Twinkle Toes. I'm so sorry about what happened in the caves – I didn't mean to knock your head so hard."

John's right-hand man sneered at me, gripping onto his own stolen blade. He was joined by another 2 men, on the rooftop adjacent to mine.

"Save the sarcasm for someone other than me Hazura. It's been a long time coming for me to finally take you down."

I snickered and raised a sword, pointing it directly to his chest.

"I'd like to see you try."