Author's notes:

Hello, here is the next chapter. This and the next chapter would mark the end of this 'invasion' arc.

Also, if you want to see the armors the characters are wearing later in the story, you can head to the Wiki for Monster hunter and search the armors there then imagine them wearing it. I'll try to give descriptions for some main characters and their armor they would wear later in the story, but for some, like the hunter extras, I might just state what armor they are wearing.

Enjoy the chapter!

A few moments earlier…

Leaving Anemone and Zinnia behind at the main hall, 9S quickly sprints to the research center. He is careful in avoiding the people moving around the guild, maneuvering hunters and guild attendants tending to the villagers as he enters the hall leading to the research area. He passes by the item shop within the hall where hunters would buy and claim items from the guild, like hunting tools or any recovery and medicinal items. He takes notice that the one attending the shop is not 801S.

With 801S being one of the few friends 9S has made during his stay in YoRHa, for both share a curious nature, they often chat regarding topics about hunters and monsters and they both help each other in their respective endeavors. 9S would often do favors for 801S like gathering materials outside the village and 801S helps 9S in some of his works or give trade materials only available to the guild. He works in attending the item shop and is studying to be a researcher as well, he is even an assistant to Jackass the head researcher in the village and 9S wonders if he is with her at the moment. If he is then maybe he knows of what tool he created with Jackass.

He clears his thoughts once he realizes he made his way to the research center. Inside the right section of the guild is a large open space filled with area assigned work stations for various researches, with rows of tables for people to use. Some have large shelves filled with books of different kinds that are not stored in the archive and are used for references for some of the researches studying monster behavior or monster biology.

Some of those books are either stack at the tables as well, with some diligently reading or searching on whatever information they need. Another work station is filled with preserve monster parts where they are being studied or tested by the researchers assigned there. Beside that station is the area where items are being crafted and combined with other materials to become new items to aid hunters and they would be mass produced and sent to the item shop in the hallway. That area is what 9S likes the most and sometimes help and work there. Currently the people in the research center are rushing about and finding ways to help with the crisis happening the village were normally it would be filled with chatter filled with science jargons most wouldn't understand.

9S then enters and passes by several researches, with a few noticing him and giving questions or inquiries.

"9S?"

"Oh no… he's here again..."

"9S careful! Don't rush!"

"What is he up to this time?"

"Is he looking for someone, where is he heading?"

"Where's Zinnia? Did she assign him here again?"

"Hah! I can't wait to see what shenanigans this kids gonna get into!"

"Where's 2B, isn't she supposed to watch over him?"

Hearing a few, 9S would respond and even ask questions before passing them.

"Good morning!"

"Hey just here to help. Have you seen the trouble outside?!"

"I'll be careful!"

"Hello—woah! What's that?"

"How's it going, haven't been catching some Zzzs, huh?"

"Has anyone seen 801S?"

With the last statement, 9S was told he was with Jackass in the testing area. He said thanks and headed straight to the other end of the room, which would lead to the testing area, which right beside it is Jackass' office. As he gets closer to the room, he could hear the sounds of explosions within, which made 9S grin with excitement because if he is right, Jackass would have made a prototype already.

"Oh…I hope whatever that boy is gonna do it won't lead to the village being destroyed." Said one researcher as she sees 9S enter the testing room.

"Meh. Or a scolding from White, Anemone and Zinnia." Responded another.

Entering the testing room, one would see it as a large dome like structure made with strong materials like stone or concrete, line with metal sheets that could help the room withstand explosions of barrel bombs. It was designed that way for the testing room was made mainly for Jackass' uses, which would be testing any new explosive she has come up with or create what if scenarios for the best ways in using said explosive. Other testing can be conducted as well, but they have to go through Jackass first for approval to use the room.

The present moment was of the previous scenario, with a woman and 801S on one side with a make ship barrier in front of them and on the other side of the barrier is a smoking area with a destroyed and burned monster shaped dummy. 9S could see 801S taking down notes and the woman right beside him currently holding and examining a bomb casing. The woman has black short hair, with a bang covering her right eye occasionally. She has goggles above her eye brows and is wearing khaki pants and dark boots. Her beige top is barely seen for she is wearing a lab coat that reaches her knees. 9S recognizes her as Jackass.

"801S! Jackass!" 9S calls for their attention, with them turning to the sound of his voice. 801S was the first to approach and greeted 9S.

"Nines…you're here? I thought you would be with Zinnia and help with the crisis outside?" Responded 801S.

"Yeah that was the plan, but I figure I would be more help here and maybe even give support." He shrugged.

"Support? In what way? Don't tell me you have an idea on how to deal with the monsters outside?" Inquired 801S.

"Actually…I do, and I believe I have something of use to help. Maybe I could even suggest it to the commander." With that statement 801S focus on 9S increased and he could see him grinning.

"Nines…. don't tell me you somehow made a tool for this specific situation?"

"Maybe…"

"And you're planning to use it with one of your ideas?"—he pauses for a second— "I mean you almost got banned from the research center with the last item you made, and we both know how most of your ideas go. What makes you think the commander would accept it." He ask him with a doubtful expression.

"Yes, most of my ideas but not all of them. Also, I believe this one would work since I brought it to an expert and helped me modify it to work full proof." 9S said with a hint of pride like he has done something to give praise of, with only 801S shaking his head.

"You're implying that this tool of yours is already made, which I find hard to believe since…no offence, some of your ideas are still being considered." 9S only huff and turned away a bit from 801S.

"And what is this tool you made that warrant another to help create whatever this is ...and make you so confident?" Ask 801S incredulously.

"Simple. The kid went to me and I found it intriguing, so I helped create it." Said another voice.

"…" A brief silence reigned in to 801S as he turns to the voice, revealing it to be Jackass.

"Wait…What?" he says as tries to process what his superior has said while he looks a bit dumb founded. Jackass nods and gives a look saying 'I'm serious' to 801S. Then he turns his head back to 9S before exclaiming.

"NINES! ARE YOU CRAZY! Did you hit your head and forget that this is Jackass!" He said quickly as he grabs 9S' head checking for any signs of injury before 9S push him away replying. Jackass just shakes her head, knowing full well of her reputation.

"No stop that. I didn't hit my head and I know its Jackass." Yes, 9S knows its Jackass.

She, like White, is also from the guild and became the head researcher of YoRHa's research center. Her work is top tier and she often coordinates with the Royal Paleontology Scriveners at times to help them with their research. She is a brilliant scientist, but she can be a bit eccentric and… also an explosive expert. Always trying to make new concoctions for hunters to ingest or explosives to use in the field. The creation of the testing room was a dead give away to the last part of her occupation. Others consider her a bit aloof and hard to determine what comes inside her head, with only a select few who do, like the commander. But for 9S, he can't deny Jackass expertise, even if he knows of Jackass' unpredictability or how big of a risk is to work with her. Looking back at 801S, he then starts to alleviate some of his worries.

"Look… I know that you are thinking that me working with Jackass is a bad idea, which I think the village would too if they find out." He said knowing of both his and Jackass reputation in the village.

"If the village finds out they would restrain both of you and make preemptive measures to make sure it never happens again" 801S deadpanned.

"Okay…"—9S cringed a bit— "But if you let me explain then I think you would understand." He replied.

"Fine…but keep it short, we are kind of in a crisis here." 801S said as he began to tap his foot.

"Oh. Let me do that!" Jackass said. The boys turn to her before she began.

"Well… it started when 9S had an idea for new type of bomb"—

"Wait a bomb?" 801S interrupted looking incredulously at 9S as he looks a bit sheepish now that he remembers what he was making with Jackass.

"Yes, he did, so he came up to me one day and told me his idea of a bomb hunters could use to disorient monsters. I replied that we already have those, but he said, 'what if it was also… an explosive'." Jackass even motioned quotation marks in the last remark.

"Oh no…Nines" 801S said as he puts a palm on his face.

"Oh yes Nines so, of course I was intrigue! And I told him to tell me more of this idea and if he made any blueprints" Jackass said with glee. 801S could only look at 9S, who was slowly steeling himself of what is gonna happen next.

"And he did, didn't he?"

"Yes, and if I were honest his design was a bit shoddy so, it was good thing he came to me to take a look in it. Maybe that's why your other ideas failed, huh kid?" She looks at 9S who only turns away looking a bit embarrass, mumbling to himself.

"And so, after we tweak the design with adding a bit of Jackass flare to the mix, I began to create prototypes for the bomb. Though 9S here wanted help, I told him he can't because someone might be suspicious and might discover that we are working together. I mean, who knows what White would do if she found out."— Jackass thought that White might go all Rajang at the both of them— "I said that the village might be against us working together and stop this project, so we decided to keep it a secret between us."

"I think the village is and Wait… is that why you were in your office for the past few weeks? That was mildly suspicious, and you are telling me no one knew?"

"Yup, we were both tight lip and even when I would occasionally send 9S messages of the tools progress. Now that I think about it, because how smooth it was for me to send him updates and reports, 9S was able to figure out what's the problem during the last phase and gave me the final piece to finish the final prototype."

"And what did you do…" This time he turns to 9S, 801S was even pointing at him.

"Well… I realize that we don't know the proper composition of mixture to make the explosive right. So, I suggested to use a different material and test if it would work…"—801S was about to ask what material it was before 9S cut him in a rush— "So I kinda sort of gave Jackass volatile coal….". 9S trailed before he cupped his mouth after saying the last part, waiting for 801S reaction.

Hearing it, 801S was silent. Then he began to shake his head and started to make various hand gestures. He started muttering to himself trying to create the appropriate response.

"Wh-hat—H-how did you?" He started to pace.

"Volatile coal. Really to Jackass?" He gave 9S an incredulous look. 9S could only shrug looking sheepish.

"It's just so…How did you even get the stuff?" He looked at his hands as if they would give him the answer.

"You know what! I don't wanna know! You always get some stuff I think you got out of thin air, but I know otherwise and I'm not gonna pry because it's just gonna lead to more trouble." He threw his hands in the air as he said the last statement.

"Yeah, I was surprise too when the kid sent it to me. It made me wonder as well how he got it, but I won't pry since we all got secrets." Jackass said looking over at 9S.

"Okay. Just carry on." 9S motioned to resume the tale.

"Well from there I used the coal in crafting the bomb. Then after some initial testing, to my surprise, it worked! It was the right material needed for this bomb to work as what 9S intended. Heck, I was impressed with the stuff that I studied the leftovers I have, before I figured out to how to replicate the composition so I could make more of them. I mean if I didn't, we wouldn't been able to test those bombs right now 801S."

"Wait…you mean to tell me. That not only you were able to replicate the composition of volatile coal, but the bombs…the highly explosive bombs we have been testing. Was designed by NINES!" He turns and points at 9S who took a step back from the expression 801S was showing.

"You made a bomb that explodes. That releases smaller sticky bombs that explodes. With each having the force… OF A BARREL BOMB!"

"…"

"THERE IS A 3 METER CRATER RIGHT BEHIND US NINES! What gave you the idea to make these!?"

"I-I was inspired by the fireworks we saw last time…" 9S weakly replied.

"REALLY?!" He gave a pointed look expressing disbelief.

"Yes. I mean, you know how fireworks work. They explode… and spread embers in the sky, and I figured if maybe… we can find a way to use something like that against monsters as well...?"

"And what we weaponize fireworks? How does that work Nines?"

"Pffftt…C'mon 801S. Of course, I need to be practical. The bombs were designed differently to work on monsters."

"Oh my gosh 9S, are you even listening to yourself right now?." 801S commented.

"Yeah the kid told me how they would work. First by throwing the bomb on to a monster, the initial weaker explosion releases the smaller bombs that would immediately stick to whatever surface and explode and disorient them. Works especially well if you aim at the eyes or head." Jackass explained.

"And they can also work on monsters that have no eyes or when you can't use the occasional flash or sonic bomb, and even help when you're trying to escape. Also sleep bombing monsters as well since…you know it's an explosive." 9S added.

"And they really work! You saw it yourself and here, 9S I'll give you a demonstration." said Jackass as she proceeds to put her googles and motions them to go near the barricade. She cups the bomb casing she had earlier and makes a pitching motion. She then throws the bomb all the way to where the monster dummy was. Once the bomb hit the ground it exploded and smaller bombs came out in an arc, spreading around the initial radius before sticking to the ground and violently exploding to a bigger explosion that almost reached the top of the dome. The force of the explosion blew the hair on their heads and they could also feel the heat and force on their faces. 801S and 9S were covering their eyes a bit to block some of the light coming from the explosion. Jackass on the other hand, took off her goggles to wipe a tear falling from one of her eyes.

"It's like a fully amped elemental phial discharge from a charge blade. Only you can hold it in the palm of your hands before releasing all of its beauty and magnificence. No charge time. No prep." She sighed on the last comment.

"Are you serious?! That is a danger to hunters who can't even throw a pebble 10 feet away from them." Exclaimed 801S.

"They weren't supposed to be that powerful. Though Jackass said it would be more useful if the explosion were bigger to work on large monsters or packs.…" He trailed as he bit his upper lip. As 801S stares at him.

"…"

"Look, hear me out. We can use the bombs to drive the monsters off the village and herd them without anyone getting near and risk injuries from fighting. I mean it's not like they have to be in the bombs radius to work?" 9S gave his suggestion when 801S didn't respond earlier. Right now, he was deep in thought before asking.

"How about collateral damage?"

"That was kept in mind, hence the stickiness of the small bombs so at least when they fall, they'll stay within the initial radius or on a monster before blowing sky high. Also, I agree with 9S in using them."—This cause both boys to look at Jackass—"At the moment, I can tell we don't have the hunters to repel the invading monsters in the scale they came and this bomb design maybe the only resource we have on hand to help repel the monsters" Jackass explained with a serious expression.

9S looked at 801S pleadingly. In response, he took a deep breath while making one more pensive look before sighing.

"Okay…fine I get it."—Both 9S and Jackass made a high five and cheered— "BUT…I would like to comment that this is insane, but our lack of time has left us with little options. And with this option our only viable one based by Jackass' word, how will you two convince Commander White to use them and is it still possible to use them in whatever plan they have now?" He asked making 9S look a bit worried and even started to think of way on how to talk to the commander.

"Well let's find out."—Jackass said before she started moving to the direction of another door—"Come to my office boys I'm gonna show you a secret of mine." She motioned the two to follow her as she opens the door revealing it to be connected to her office.

Both 9S and 801S look at each other before they went and enter inside Jackass' office, with the sound of a door closing the last thing heard in the testing room.

Jackass had a wide office, the perks of being head researcher, and was overall clean with mild clutter in some areas. She had a bookshelf, a work table with test tubes and beakers for her to craft and a desk at the end of the room infront of a window, which was shedding light to the room. There was a pile of books and papers on top of the desk before Jackass wipes her arm across it sending the items on the floor and began looking around the desk for something. 9S and 801S could only look in confusion.

"Where is it?" Jack said as she began to open her drawers and feeling the top of her table.

"Uh… what is she doing to her desk?" 9S asks 801S.

"If I knew I would have told you already. Though, seeing this is one of her secrets I doubt it's something good or its for her benefit." 801S replied.

"Aha there it is!" Exclaimed Jackass as one of her hands felt something under the edge of her desk.

Below the desk is a hidden button, which Jackass pushes. The result was an opening beside the desk with two floor boards moving away from each other before three levers started to rise out from the hole. 9S and 801S look surprise on what is happening.

"Are those levers? / You have hidden switches?" Both boys said simultaneously.

"Yup and I'm gonna show you what they do." Jackass grinned before pulling one of the levers.

Mechanism could be heard with gears turning, signaling something else that would happen. Above them, a part of the ceiling splits with a large horn lowering to the right side of the desk where Jackass was. A clicking sound was heard, which meant the horn was secured. She motioned both of the boys to come closer and put an ear on the horn. The boys came closer and Jackass made one last gesture to stay silent before turning her attention to the horn.

Bending a bit closer, they could hear voices. Concentrating a bit more, 9S could hear and determine the voices coming from the horn.

"Commander"

'2B' 9S thought.

"2B, can you report on what else is happening outside, there might be some crucial information that can alter our plans." He looks at Jackass trying to figure out what is happening and how Jackass is doing this, but Jackass only grins and puts a finger on her mouth signaling to stay a quiet. Knowing that Jackass would give an explanation later 9S turns his attention back to the horn and listen to what 2B and the commander where saying.

As they continue to listen, more voices could be heard, but the eavesdroppers knew that they were mostly from White, Zinnia and Anemone. From listening to them, they found out about the situation outside and how all the villagers are accounted for, which for Jackass is a good thing. Then they heard the plan and the groups that were being formed and where they will go, before finally hearing the commander's rousing speech and jumping away from the horn clutching their ears from the hunters shouting in response. As they started to get their hearing back 801S begins to ask Jackass.

"Okay what is this? And where is the sound coming from?"

"It's a horn I use to listen into the Hunter's hub."

"What?" 9S said while looking incredulous.

"I figured White would give the plan there so its good thing I have this, don't you think?" Jackass smirk.

"Okay… BUT why do you have this?" 801S ask for he, and even 9S, are bewildered that Jackass has a device to spy and listen to hunters at the hunter's hub. They also feel how wrong this is, for it could be a breach in privacy and how chilling the thought is of Jackass listening to their private conversations. Both boys share a look with each other to avoid the hunter's hub for now on.

"Look a researcher has to gather data on all sorts of topics, so we can use that information to help in the daily lives of the village and to aid hunters in their quests." She spoke in a cordial manner.

"…Really?" 801S drawled not convinced with Jackass statement believing she has an ulterior motive.

"Well… I find it nice to hear the latest gossip hunters have nowadays and if they have any juicy secrets and blackmail material. Hehehe" Jackass said while she was rubbing her hands.

"Ahhhh." Both boys nodded their heads. The reason being more suited for Jackass' intentions sounds more appropriate for the eccentric researcher.

"Now that's done its time we help the Commander with her plan." Jackass began to move to her levers.

"Wait does the commander know of this contraption?" 801S asked as Jackass proceeds to pull the lever for the horn, letting it return to the ceiling.

"Now if we move quickly, we can make it to the northern part of the village ahead of the group being sent there." Jackass speculated, completely ignoring 801S.

"Jackass you didn't answer"—

"Wait. We? Why do we have to be ahead?" Asked 9S, interrupting 801S who looks at him thinking if 9S is ignoring his statement as well.

"Well duh, to help. Better we use your bombs to drive the monsters from the north so they can focus on the east corner." Explained Jackass as she pulls another lever. It parts her shelf splitting and one part moving to the sides, revealing a hidden item box where Jackass pulls out a crate full of the bombs, she and 9S designed.

"Wait you made more?" 801S looks shocked.

"Shouldn't we inform the commander? I mean the bombs are still being tested."

"And they are tested. They work and I already informed White beforehand that I will give the research center's support to whatever plan they have. I just didn't tell her how that support would come." Jack said slyly and puts the crate on her desk and pulls the lever to revert her shelf back into one.

"Jackass don't tell me you are heading there by yourself without the commander's approval?" 9S looks at Jackass with a stern expression. He also eyes Jackass moving to grip the last lever.

"Wait what?!" 801S begins to look frantic.

"Well if you're not gonna join me. Besides, this is the perfect opportunity to see these babies work in the field. I mean there is no test like a field test, am I right?" She pulls a lever revealing a hidden pathway at the right side where 9S and 801S are facing Jackass' desk.

"Jackass stop! We can't do it like this, we might cause more harm and jeopardize the mission? And we are going to use explosives in the village, don't you think we need the villagers to decide or anyone to supervise?" 9S moved closer to Jackass and pleaded.

"I agree with 9S. Using the bombs with a slight chance of approval from White, than using them without could lead to major repercussions." 801S gave his own opinion as well.

"Or… it could help and improve our situations. Look all the villagers are accounted for, you heard 2B and there are already some damages outside maybe even more with the monsters out there. Look, I can say the bombs are safe to use, we made sure of that and any collateral that would happen is a small price to pay to drive these monsters out of the village. Besides I'm all the supervision you need!" Jackass smirked at the last line.

"But"—

"C'mon kid, you and I were thinking of the same thing to use these suckers and it's a great idea. Besides, you really think White would approve of using this?" Jackass questioned staring straight at 9S. The act causes him to step back a bit.

"I-I… she would… I mean Zinnia would approve… and she can convince the commander."

9S thought that there is a chance for the commander's approval but hearing Jackass statement got him to doubt. Sure, he has made mistakes from the past and received the ire of the commander, maybe a bit of distrust or no belief at all at his plans. But… these bombs can help with proper supervision, he knows it. And he knows it's better for the commander to supervise and most likely the bombs would be approved because of it. But… will she approve it? Or just brush it off like the rest of his ideas? 9S had a forlorn expression on his face.

"Look we're wasting time, I have a cart already prepared and I'm heading out there right now. Your free to join or to report to the commander, but I'll have left by the time you do. 801S if you stay you'll be my proxy for the research center and support White with whatever she needs." Jackass said as she enters the hidden pathway carrying the crate.

"Wait Jackass!"—801S calls and stops at the pathway seeing his superior moving father from him— "Oh my gosh she is serious. We have to warn the commander." He breaks into a sprint before stopping to look why his companion didn't move.

"Nines?" He asks, with a bit of dread rising from his stomach.

"I'm following Jackass" 9S responded. He turns to 801S with a look of determination. 801S recognizes it and knows that it's a look that means 9S won't change his mind.

"WHAT! Are you crazy? What will the commander or Zinnia think?!" 801S exclaimed.

"Look, I made those bombs too and they're my responsibility. Besides, she said herself that she is capable of supervising their use. Better I'm there to support or reign in Jackass than leave her by herself, since I made it with her". 9S smirks as begins to head down to the path moving past 801S.

"They're gonna go crazy once they find out about this!"

"Then tell them! I'll be with Jackass and you go inform the commander! Think of it as extra motivation for them to follow us!" 9S yelled as he began to sprint and catch up to Jackass.

801S could only stare in dread as his friend goes to follow his eccentric and explosive higher up. He can't imagine what those two are capable of. Snapping out of his thoughts, he remembers that he still needs to warn the commander and the others. As he runs out of Jackass' office, pass the researches and to the path leading to the main hall, he could only think of how everyone would react to this predicament.

"Damn it. Nines, I hope you know what you are doing." Because 801S doesn't know himself.

"Jackass wait up!" Jackass heard and saw the young white-haired boy coming to her. She grins as she loads the crate filled with the bombs on top of cart. The path she took lead straight to the stables and the cart station. She has already prepared a cart by the time 9S called to her with an Aptonoth to pull it.

"Hey kid! I knew you wouldn't resist this opportunity, I'm glad to know you came rushing to join little old me in this endeavor."

"Its not like that. Someone has to reign you in, or you might blow the village with the bombs I designed. Then I'll take all the blame and get another scolding." 9S said has he made his way to Jackass. He could see her climbing aboard to the front of the cart holding the reigns.

"Ahhhh how sweet of you."—She cooed—"Well if this all blows up in our faces, you can count on me in getting half of the blame. I mean we both had a part in making these." She gestured to the bombs, as 9S looks inside the cart and sees other items packed as well.

"Fine but let's this be known that you took the initiative first!" 9S declared.

"Yes, and you followed." Jackass smirk and 9S grumbles at the remark

"Well hop on." She gestured as 9S got up and sat beside her.

Once seated both were ready to depart only for the main doors for the stables to open. From there two hunters came out and saw Jackass and 9S. The hunters look surprised and both Jackass and 9S had wide eyes for they've been caught red handed.

"What are you doing! You can't be in here!" Yelled one of the hunters.

"SHIT." Jackass said out loud before she cracks the reigns making the Aptonoth move the cart. She makes the Aptonoth move faster as well, making the cart jolt from the sudden speed with 9S bracing himself.

"Ugh Jackass." 9S said as the cart started to pick up more speed.

"They're making a break for it! We have to stop them!" The other hunter yelled as both began to follow and chase the duo.

The hunters broke into a sprint and chase the runaway cart shouting for it to stop. The path they were on was from the back of the guild going to the front where the roads intersect. From there they would head to the road leading to the northern corner. The only sounds that was heard was the galloping monster and the yells of the two hunters. Seeing as they are nearing the front of the guild, 9S turns to Jackass in worry.

"What are we gonna do? We can't lose them and we're heading straight to more hunters that would stop us." He said while having second thoughts with his decision to follow Jackass.

"Don't worry kid I got this!" Jackass said as she made a turn. She turns to look at the hunters before she looks back at the road seeing that they are near the intersection.

"Okay kid. I want you to get something for me at the back of the cart, I think you can reach it from your seat. It's looks like small barrel bomb but has the letters VC on it." She said as 9S began to rummage the cart.

"Okay I got it! Wait is this a bomb? Are we going to throw a Bomb! At THEM! JACKASS!" 9S yelled franticly as held the VC small barrel bomb.

"Don't worry its just for a distraction! Now pass it to me I got to time it right." She said as they reached the front of the guild.

There where hunters stationed at the front of the guild waiting for their next orders from command. As they were waiting, they heard a sound of a cart and turn to look where its coming from only to see Jackass and 9S coming from the path. Others began to talk among themselves on what Jackass and 9S were doing, only to suddenly hear yelling from the same path as well. It was the two hunters and they look like they had a boost in speed. They where getting closer to the cart every second and Jackass thinks they must have drunk some mega dash juice, as she was alternating between looking at the road and at them.

Entering the town square Jackass made the cart drift by turning the Aptonoth to the west path that would lead them to roads going north. As she turned and stop, the two hunters made it as well and began to yell and tell the other hunters to stop them.

"You can't let them escape!"

"That cart is needed for the commander's plan!"

"They have no authority to take it!" One of the two hunters yelled.

"Oh Yeah! Here's my authority!" Jackass yelled as she chucked the VC lettered small barrel bomb to the two hunters who paused and caught it at the middle of the square. They both look at it and notice that the fuse was lit, at the same time Jackass cracked the reigns and the cart began to move at high speeds again away from the square.

"What the ****"—

*BOOM*

Before any of the two hunters could react, the bomb exploded, engulfing the two and sending some hunters off their feet with one slamming straight at the guild door. When the explosion cleared, the two hunters where knockout on the ground and Jackass and 9S' cart was already too far for them to reach.

"Then we heard her yell 'YOU GUYS GOT JACKASS!' before the cart disappeared from our sight." Said one hunter, even mimicking the exact same expression and manner of Jackass to the Commander. White could only put her palm on her face, dreading the fact that Jackass is loose and is with 9S enacting a plan that 'would' help in theirs that involves highly explosive and still classified experimental bombs. She already got the full story from 801S, who is currently at her side nervous and shaking. Hearing the story from him only made her head ache and a promise to strangle Jackass when she sees her.

"And what of 9S?" White then asked the hunter.

"OH. Ah. Not much we can say only that he was yelling and screaming at Jackass." The hunter shrugged and White could only sigh shaking her head.

"Thank you for your report, you are dismissed. Join the rest and prepare for our operation to barricade the streets in the center roads" White dismissed the hunter as he gave a salute and left to join the others who were carrying materials and other items to use for the operation.

"Now." She turns back to 801S. Facing him also revealed that Zinnia, 2B, A2 and the pods were there as well.

"White let me explain"—Zinnia began.

"Save it for later. Now we need to deal with whatever Jackass and 9S will do." She replied sternly cutting Zinnia.

"Okay. Fine. But let me handle that. 801S said they're heading to the north so we can proceed as planned." She told White, while 801S nodded his head agreeing with Zinnia.

"Our plan is already being altered as we speak"—White spoke only to be cut off by Zinnia.

"And it changes nothing to our goal to drive them, the monsters, out. Besides, Jackass went along with it so there must be some measure of probability that their plan could aid us. Look, we can't bring them back or change the plan. We need to work with it and hoped that everything will go well." Zinnia said as she looks at the commander and she as well looks straight to Zinnia's eyes with an expression of conflicted thoughts.

"…" White and Zinnia continued to stare at each other, until White gave a frustrated grunt and then turned away.

"Fine, but you are responsible for his actions for this operation." She began to walk away.

"I am. Thank you White!" Zinnia yelled as White began to walk further away to command the rest of the hunters.

"Hey chief? Please don't be too hard on 9S." 801S said as he began to follow the commander since he is Jackass' proxy. She waved at him as he began to listen to the commander's orders.

"Chief the carts are ready!" Zinnia heard a hunter shout at her.

Turning to where the carts are, loads of carts have arrived with some hunters loading materials to form the barricades across the center road and some hunters getting on the carts ready to enact the mission. She could see that Anemone and her team have already boarded some and have started to head to the east side of the village. She turns to the 2B, A2 and the pods.

"Okay… girls. Pods. Let's get this mission started and reclaim 9S from Jackass." She cheerfully said to her entourage, whom reacted with different expressions.

"Ugh… reclaim? Didn't he go willingly?" A2 questioned who had an irritated expression.

"Then if he did, we will forcefully retrieve him." 2B spoke in a cold and stoic manner, but she was radiating an aura of rage with 9S' latest actions.

"I just hope the young Meowster hasn't cause any trouble." spoke Pod 42.

"Knowing him, trouble would come to him especially since he is with Jackass." Replied Pod 153 to Pod 42.

"Look just get in the cart and we'll try to reach them as soon as possible. We can all hear the story from 9S and whatever excuse he has once this is over." The deflated Zinnia said while said group began to move to their own carts.

"I doubt he would have an adequate excuse." 'Or let him make any excuse at all' thought 2B as she began to think of ways to make sure that 9S realizes that working in secret projects and not telling them is a bad idea, especially when he is working with Jackass.

As the group got in their assigned cart, with Zinnia on the reigns, Zinnia signaled the hunters that they will soon depart. She signals one hunter who was also on the reigns.

"You and the rest of the hunters will head straight to the west side of the village and begin to herd the monsters there to the choke point. Relay the plan to any hunters scattered there, and remain in for any monsters coming from the north, and keep them going to the choke point as well. We'll rendezvous once all the monsters from the north are cleared, then we will work together to keep them on the path."

"Yes Chief." The hunter replied.

"You'll be my point person for now. Don't let any hunter go to the north area and keep them in the west with you. I don't want any more people to get caught up with whatever my charge and Jackass are up to." Zinnia sighed after the last phrase.

"Are you sure…?" Ask the hunter with a bit of expectation of rebuttal.

"Yes...?" Zinnia replied with a raise eye brow from the hunter's question.

"OKAY YOU HEARD THE CHIEF! LET'S MOVE OUT HUNTERS!" The hunter shouted with a chorus of yells from the others came in response.

They began to move with haste to the west side of the village… away from Zinnia and company's direction. Some even began to climb and pile up on the other carts to join the west group with a few attempting to catch with up with them not wanting to remain. A massive dust cloud was made from the hunters' haste and once it cleared, only Zinnia and company were left at the square. Zinnia could only look with bewilderment at the scene.

"WOW… I guess no one really wants to deal with a 9S and Jackass collaboration." Spoke A2 who was also shock from the scene. The pods and a reluctant 2B nodded their heads in agreement.

"Let's go." Replied the recovered Zinnia as she cracked the reigns making the Aptonoth pull their cart.

Heading straight to 9S, Zinnia could only worry that he hasn't gotten hurt or Jackass hasn't gotten him to even bigger trouble. She was also trying to figure out what in 9S' head made him work with Jackass. Was she really tempting fate when she allowed him to work at the research center today? She thought as they made their way to the streets of the village.

Her train of thought was cut, when she turned the cart to a corner revealing a destroyed street with houses a bit damaged or turned into rubble. What more the street revealed signs of a large monster that has made its way here and practically gone on a rampage, with claw marks on some areas, smashed houses and small craters that look like they were made from a monster smashing the ground. The scene shocked the group and their scenery continued to be the same with every street they came upon with more signs of damage from the large monster with some houses that were destroyed by large boulders lodge in them. The pods spotted something on the road, and they look to see a giant three clawed foot print. Realizing that the monster could still be here in the north area of the village, a sense of fear came over Zinnia and she cracked the reigns harder to speed up the cart. She hopes she reaches 9S first, before whatever large monster wrecked these streets.

Thanks for Reading see you in the next chapter!