I apologize for the late post, college is getting more overwhelming with schoolwork.

Give it up, Liu. Why are you wasting your time defending Nightmare from Three Dragons? You don't stand a chance to call yourself an IS pilot. Life would have been easier if you give Nightmare to Three Dragons. Besides, he is better than you in many ways. You don't have to think about a casket, Three Dragons will put an end to your misery, where you will die alone and slowly in a painful manner. The reason you're living is that Rin is by your side no matter what. Without her, you are nothing. Either you give yourself up to Three Dragons, or continue your pointless journey that leads to your death. What's it going to be, Liu?

…

What a bonafide soldier of the Righteousness Union you are today. You fight like your younger self, rushing in like a rampaging bull. It's impressive, but you made a big mistake. You think you can get away from the darkness to enter the light? The light is not your power you're born in it, molded by it. You can't betray your shadows because they belong to you! I will make you accept your darkness. When your body breaks, I work on your mind. Once that's broken, your soul is left to rebuild what was left, twisting you to your true self.

…

Patrol 2-3 to HQ, we have a major accident on the freeway. Multiple vehicles destroyed, and a person is lying in a pool of blood. Send in medics and fire immediately.

Medic and firefighters will arrive in three minutes.

Three Dragons is fleeing from the scene! Be advised, wanted fugitive is armed with an IS weaponry and dangerous. Send in everything you got.

Patrol 5-7, full containment. I want major roadway cities shut down now!

Liu…you can't die on me. You promised to come back alive! Liu…LIU!

"Urgh…" Liu slowly arisen from his slumber, still feeling drowsy from the bad dream he got.

"Hey, are you okay?" Rin woke up to check up on her dragon.

"Wha…what's going on? How long were we asleep?"

"It's morning right now, Liu. We did not oversleep since it's the weekend."

Liu looked left and right, feeling blurry from the eye boogers on his eyelids while Rin looked with concern.

"Did you have a bad dream last night?" Rin asked.

"Not exactly a bad dream, but I heard words shrouding me something about losing hope and give up to Three Dragons."

"Are you sure about that? From the look on your eye, there's something bothering you."

Liu was too tired to lie as he decided that it was better off to tell Rin everything, even if it hurts.

"Rin…" said Liu, gathering up the strength to talk. "I also dream that Three Dragons slaughtered me, took my IS, and ran off. Next thing I hear is you screaming my name in despair, cradling me."

Rin frowned with a hint of sadness that Liu got a bad dream from thinking too much about the underworld conflict. Being Liu's girlfriend, Rin will support him to not lose his sanity.

"Hey, it will be okay. Whatever you heard was your inner self playing mind tricks on you. Yes, that also includes the nightmare you had. Liu, you're not the type that succumbs easily to illusions because you're stronger than this."

"Your words helped me to get back up, even in tough times. I thank you for that."

"No one likes to see a person going berserk, especially me."

Time: 4:50PM - Office

The blueprint of Operation Exorcist was finally complete with Chifuyu finalizing the details as she gathered data onto the holographic projector. The Brunhilde kept her usual serious face, knowing the risks she will tackle head on. Mattheus and Joel polished their weapons to be used for later while they read the diagrams of the underworld.

Chifuyu said, "I'm sure you're familiar with the underworld of Japan."

"Where the rats dwell in the dark side to eat, drink, fuck, and do crime like there's no end," said Mattheus. "What do you have that's compelling?"

"I got Intel that Phantom Task spread out to leave traces behind. They think they are one step ahead, but they are dead wrong with cops surveying every block."

"What are you trying to get?" Joel questioned.

"The plan is the more busts cops make, it will force them to draw out Squall and her agents. We hit their money makers, supporters, and source of revenue. That's where it hurts them the most."

Chifuyu snapped her fingers to show surveillance footage of Phantom Task operations slowly decline with cops busting several agents and key individuals. While it seems impressing, the Brunhilde was far from over to declare victory against Phantom Task with Three Dragons, Shen, and Kaori running amok.

"Download this data," Chifuyu instructed. "You will need it when we hit the underworld because there's no telling what will happen."

"In other words, it's do or die because there's no second chance to make it right."

"The underworld is a no man's land without the proper layout because those that are not familiar will not come back alive. Last time, a lone military IS pilot attempted to venture to the underworld, and one minute later, she got shot down to pieces. Phantom Task lock down military personnel and the government with threatening blackmails if they dare to intervene."

"In other words, the cops and the Academy, meaning us, are the last hope to flush out Phantom Task. Just as I thought the military could help us out, but no, Phantom Task grounded them permanently."

"Prepare yourselves and think through your methods that does not get you two killed in action."

The Brunhilde nodded her head at the boys before she dismissed them. Chifuyu drank her cup of black coffee as she turned on the monitor to oversee the police activities at the underworld. Surveillance cameras reveal the activities unfold with cops patrolling the underworld. The underworld was typically littered in a mess, but this time, it's cleaner than last time. However, that does not mean it's guaranteed to be a safe city to live because crooks make up the majority of the population.

Time: 1:19PM - Lab

"Ara. There you are, Liu," said Tatenashi. "I was looking for you because I have something urgent to show you."

Liu raised his eyebrow. "Is it related to Nightmare, or did you lie to tease me and Rin?"

"It's not that," the bluenette explained. "Follow me to the lab where I can explain it all."

"Liu," said Tatenashi. "Activate Nightmare so Kanzashi can do a full inspection."

The dragon deployed Nightmare in two seconds as he was encased with obsidian black and midnight purple armor. Kanzashi typed her computer as the machine scanned Liu from top to bottom. The blue cat read the data until Kanzashi saw something that caught her interest.

"I'm getting a strong reading coming from your left forearm," Kanzashi inquired. "It looks like some sort of cannon has just finished the stage of metamorphosis."

"You believe that I have a new weapon? I hope you're not joking around, Kanzashi."

"She is being herself, there's no need to be hard on her," said Tatenashi. "I'm the one you should be annoyed of."

Kanzashi sighed, adjusting her glasses as Liu listened, and held out his left arm. At first nothing happened, but seconds later, an object of some sort shined brightly, illuminating the lab. Rin covered her eyes from the bright light as it faded away, and Liu was surprised that Kanzashi was not joking. Liu's new weapon was hand held that resembled a fusion shotgun (AN: Look up fusion cannon from Dark of the Moon). Liu flicked his new weapon, and the barrel extended with Death-lock pincer jutted from the cannon muzzle.

"I wonder what this thing can do," said Liu, aiming his fusion cannon at the wall. "I'm naming it Reaper to match Nightmare's name. Will it explode or send shockwaves?"

"Not in the lab!" Kanzashi exclaimed, stopping Liu from firing his new toy. "Have some decency to respect private property. I have important data that are sensitive."

Liu deactivated his fusion cannon, annoyed that he can't use it, much to the relief of Kanzashi. The dragon was itching to use it right away, but test firing at the lab was the wrong place to do so. The dragon anxiously waited at Kanzashi typing her computer, and he was about to leave, but Tatenashi grabbed his shoulders firmly.

"Head to the stadium," said Tatenashi. "We set up target practices for you to test your toy."

"Don't mind if I do, Tatenashi."

Liu was giddy with his weapon before he stored it away. Rin shook her head at the dragon that nearly destroyed the lab.

"Honestly…" said Rin. "Do you know how to use your brain? You nearly tore up the lab without thinking the outcome."

"I was playing with you, Rin," said Liu sheepishly. "Tatenashi was acting too kinky to begin with when she teased us."

Rin groaned in disgust. "That does not mean you can use your new weapon to shut them up. They are human beings like the rest of us."

"It makes me an outcast from the herd of sheep follow mindlessly in one direction."

"Uh huh, that comes from someone that does not conform to normal society. Do you really feel proud to reside in the underworld?"

"I would not say to be proud of it because that's portraying the underworld to be cuddly where it's not. To put it this way, I was born with it. I can never be shown to the light when the dark is my friend."

Rin hugged her dragon. "Liu, you have me as the light to keep your sanity in check. No matter what your background is, I'm always by your side forever."

"Likewise once this damn conflict is over, Lingyin," said Liu, petting his tiger. "No one can separate us."

At the stadium, row of targets pops for Liu to test out Reaper. At long last, the dragon can use his new weapon without further interruptions. Liu activated Reaper as it charged up to fire its first round, but that's going to change when sirens blared out.

"Oh what now?" said Liu, frustrated.

"All personal IS users, report to the office," Chifuyu announced on the speakers.

With that being said, personal IS users went to the office per Chifuyu's order. Today was the day to hit underworld with everything they got. Once everyone gathered around, Chifuyu folded her arms with Yamada holding the Brunhilde's clipboard.

"That's everyone, is it not?" Chifuyu questioned, counting heads.

"Yeah that's all of us," said Ichika. "Is it time to commence Operation Exorcist?"

Chifuyu nodded her head with a determined face. "Blood, sweat, and tears came from my bare hands to make this work. This is not a videogame where you have lives to start again. We only get one shot to get this executed. Obviously, we can't go in casually without proper Intel, so I came up with plans for you guys to go over."

The Brunhilde revealed the diagram with their names on the starting point. Chifuyu point and grab onto specific locations to show them what to do.

"Charlotte and Cecilia will take on recon," Chifuyu pointed. "Gather as much information as you can for us to use before we go in the city. I entrust you two to not get shot down for flying too low or making too much noise."

"Leave it to us, Orimura-sensei," said Cecilia proudly. "Phantom Task won't even see it coming."

Chifuyu turned to Laura and Kanzashi. "You and Kanzashi provide artillery support to flush out Phantom Task troops. Your firepower should be enough to carve the path for us to tackle."

"The rest of you are on infantry. I should not explain on that since it's self-explanatory."

"Yes, Orimura-sensei!" The gang said in unison.

Liu leaned on the wall, pretending to listen, but in reality, he is formulating a plan to take down Three Dragons. The dragon patiently waited for Chifuyu to get to the main point.

"Three Dragons and his lady friends, Kaori and Shen were last seen seeking refuge at a hotel in an attempt to get away from his pursuers. Squall and her agents were also present with Three Dragons, and I have a feeling they are thinking their next move to outwit us."

The gang check their partial deployed IS before Liu activated Reaper . Ichika appeared moderately surprised at his new weapon while Mattheus and Joel admitted it was impressive.

"Any questions before we head out?" Chifuyu asked.

"Yes I do," said Liu. "How are we going to exactly venture to the underworld?"

"We fly with our IS," Cecilia scoffed. "Why must you ask rhetorical questions?"

"Have you thought of what Phantom Task might have under their sleeves to shoot down airborne enemies? Like I don't know, IS?"

Chifuyu paused momentarily to look at a different perspective. "Liu makes a good point. Kanzashi, hack into the underworld surveillance cameras."

"On it," said Kanzashi, typing her keyboards at lightning pace for ten seconds. The results show four anti-aircraft guns mounted on high rise buildings.

"Orimura-sensei, flying with our IS is not a wise choice. They are operated by an AI that has heat seeking anti-IS missiles, accurate targeting systems, and trace heat sensors."

"This won't do at all," said Chifuyu.

"Can you use your connections with the law enforcement to drop us a few cars to approach the underworld without being detected?" Liu questioned, folding his arms. "Having a police escort is asking us to get shot up."

"Give me a minute to think."

While Chifuyu went away to make a phone call, Liu maintained his poker face, not being concerned of how to approach the underworld. It appeared that the dragon knew what he was doing based on his composure. The gang was stuck on coming up with alternative plans.

"You got something to say, say it now."

The gang could not come up with an answer before Ichika raised his hand. "I suggest we destroy the AA guns first with our IS to save the trouble from traveling by a car."

Liu sniffed, shifted his weight. "I would incline to agree, but that's not going to work."

"What do you mean it's not a viable option?" Charlotte adjusted her sleeve. "Eliminating a big weapon weakens the enemy's stronghold for us to storm in without further interruptions."

"Yes, but Phantom Task can easily trace attackers in a flash. They will come down on us hard should we stir them up. I'm confident that Chifuyu's Plan B is suitable to reduce risk."

"How can you be so sure about it?" Laura asked, raising her eyebrow suspiciously.

"If you think about it, there could be more AA guns hidden if we destroy the main ones. Hell, there's a high chance they are under the radar, and I do mean it has radar jamming device."

"I have to go with Plan B, Liu," Mattheus quipped. "Slow and steady wins the race as I recall that Phantom Task has lockdown government and military intervention."

"Chifuyu is not kidding about it," said Liu. "The city's police force and us are the last hope to flush out Phantom Task for good, especially Three Dragons, Shen, and Kaori."

By the time the gang finished their discussion, Chifuyu came back, setting her motion to use Plan B. They head outside of the Academy, where black armored Toyota SUVs await. The windows were tinted to conceal identities, which was vital so they don't get caught by Phantom Task. They drove to the underworld, where it might be their last mission.

Time: 5:52 PM – Underworld

The underworld is where criminals are the majority of the population. The atmosphere is dark, dirty, yet not too poor. As usual, Phantom Task are up to no good again as they spread out to give law enforcement a harder time to stop them. Righteousness Union are still locked in their civil war thanks to Three Dragons taking advantage of the conflict to make a name for himself.

At a fancy restaurant, Squall and her agents, along with Three Dragons, Kaori, and Shen were eating a meal.

"So," said Three Dragons, "what's up, Daryl? Or should I say, Rain. Let's have it."

Rain shrugged. "You know how it is."

"I know that I get nervous whenever someone strings together a bunch of cops."

"Yeah," said Rain, admitting it, settling back into her chair. "Goddamn cops are everywhere. They're like cockroaches now that we're in the spotlight."

"I'll get to the bottom of it."

"Good," said Forte, nodding, agreeing.

"Take your time," said Autumn in a sarcastic tone. "Don't fuck it up, you hear me?"

Kaori cut her New York strip. "I'm positive that we spread out our troops to ambush the cops that underestimated our strength in art of surprise. They may have better armor and weapons, there's no way they can distinguish allies or foes with our forces blending in the crowd."

"I intend to keep it that way, Kaori," said Squall, drinking red wine. "There's a reason I hired you for stealing Phoenix."

"What are your thoughts of our recent operations busted by cops?"

"I'm not concerned about it at all."

Madoka remained indifferent as she merely wanted to kill Chifuyu by any means necessary.

"Can we get to the bottom of this?" Madoka groaned, wanting to leave. "This is making me want to sleep."

Squall pressed a holographic projector on the table, showing the layout of the underworld. "I'll put this in simple terms. We put as much dirt at the cops, and leave this city to start over. Our operations and troops are replaceable, which is the least of my concern."

Red lines appeared on the projector from Squall's description to show how their forces will ambush. Squall folded her arms, fully confident that they won't lose anything else, asides losing a couple of bucks. Madoka was close from falling asleep, but the leader gave her a slice of Beef wellington to keep her awake.

Forte yawned. "I don't really care about the outcome. What matters the most is that I'm with Rain at all times."

"Three Dragons, Shen, and Kaori, please assist with our troops to make sure this plan does not crumble," Squall ordered. "The rest of you, stay with me."

"Yes, Squall," said Three Dragons, making his way out. "I'm sure you found a resting place here to commemorate the achievements you accomplished."

"You better take that back, boy…" Autumn growled.

Three Dragons threw a middle finger at the spider, which pissed off Autumn, but she let it go. After all, she can't look bad at the leader. Squall smirked at Three Dragons before she turned to Autumn, and pet her head like an obedient dog. Autumn fawned for being Squall's favorite pet as they eat their meal in peace. On the streets, people were minding their own business while police cars patrol to make sure no one was acting up.

The gang arrived at the underworld for the first time, blending in with the crowd. Crooks ignore them while the gang split up to prepare themselves. Wearing casual clothing, they explore the underworld to get as much intel as they can without getting caught. No one spoke up as they were focused on completing Operation Exorcist, and this was the only shot they have to make it count.

Laura and Kanzashi went solo to find shelter to give artillery support. While the environment appeared to be civilized, the gang and cops were completely unaware that they stepped into a trap that will spring unexpectedly. The crowd was actually Phantom Task foot soldiers disguised as civilians to ambush. This was clearly guerilla warfare, where traditional, larger forces will have a harder time to fight back. Phantom Task troops kept in tab at cops patrolling the streets as they wait for the opportunity to attack.

"Something's not right," said Mattheus, pulling up his hoodie. "I was expecting guns going off right now, but this is way too casual for a crook city to live in peace."

Ichika's hands were in his pants pocket, observing some of the buildings seemingly abandoned.

"Based on the situation we're in," said Houki. "I count a few police about to make their move first. They are on a massive lockdown to take down wanted suspects."

Liu did not listen to the conversation while he prioritized to find Three Dragons first before they do. No one gets Three Dragons but Liu.

Chifuyu said, "Be aware of your surroundings. Don't get distracted, not even for a second."

"How are you doing, Charlotte?" Cecilia asked via earpiece.

"Not so good," Charlotte chimed, getting slightly nervous. "I have a feeling we're being watched in all angles."

Charlotte was correct as Phantom Task soldiers spied on the gangs' movements and notified their fellow goons to counter attack. A police car pulled over a white Bentley convertible for running a stop sign. The car pulled over to the side, right at the restaurant where Squall and her agents watch. To make things worse, Chifuyu, Ichika, Cecilia and Houki were about to get caught in a crossfire. Phantom Task soldiers watch the traffic stop as cops walk to the car, asking the driver and passenger to turn the engine off and see their identifications.

Ichika, Chifuyu, and the girls stopped moving, unable to move like they stepped into superglue from witnessing the traffic stop.

"What's going on?" said Ichika, unnerved. "My brain is refusing to make my body move."

Cecilia turned to him. "The driver and passenger are blatantly refusing the cops' orders. Are they stalling? I'm getting a bad feeling about this."

"We're not the only ones watching," Houki reminded the British girl. "The crowd has taken interest too."

Chifuyu cannot blow their cover to send in more backup as she was stuck to remain on standby. The Brunhilde gritted her teeth, trying to give the cops some breathing air while the suspects continued to stall. Squall shook her head, ordering her nearby troops to make a scene to make the officers distracted, knowing that it's the perfect opportunity to strike.

Two people pretended to fight, forcing the officers to break it up. All seems to come accordingly to plan as the officers decided to let the driver and passenger off with a warning. However, an officer noticed a suspicious black bag on the rear seats, asking the driver what's the contents inside. Knowing that it's time to drop the act, the driver pulled out his gun and…

BANG

The sound of a gun filled the air that shot the cop in the head, followed by two rounds at another cop in the chest. The moment he fired his gun, it sent a shockwave at the underworld that triggered a domino effect. Phantom Task soldiers opened fire at law enforcement as Ichika and the girls duck to find cover, nearly getting shot.

"What the hell just happened!?" Ichika shouted. "The cops did not do anything wrong!"

"I'm guessing they had something to hide!" Houki yelled as bullets filled the air.

Cecilia covered her ears, clearly in shock. "We cannot have caskets in this miserable city!"

Chifuyu grabbed Cecilia by the shoulder firmly. "Get a hold of yourselves! We have an operation to complete. This is not the time to be cowering in fear. We got company heading towards us fast."

Behemoth, Seryu, and Gate in their respective Fang Quake charged at Ichika and the girls. The blue boy responded by activating Byakushiki, and flung a car at their foes. The girls deploy their IS, trading blows at Phantom Task stronghold while foot soldiers continued their intense shootout at the cops.

Squall was enjoying the action unfold, drinking her red wine. Madoka, finally fed up of remaining on standby stood up to kill Chifuyu the moment she saw her fighting.

"Madoka," said Squall. "Sit down and eat. I did not permit you to take in action."

"I've had it!" Madoka slammed the table. "Chifuyu is out there, and I'm not letting her slip away again like last time."

Madoka deployed Black Knight, but before she was about to take off, cops barged in with guns drawn.

"All of you get your hands up in the air right now!" Officers commanded.

"You and what army?" Autumn sneered, slowly activating Arachne. "You're no match for us."

"Relax, Autumn," Squall patted her shoulder. "Continue eating your meal."

The moment Madoka took off, she was pulled back by Shen in Dread Gauntlet. Shen denied her chance to fight Chifuyu as it was the scorpion's moment to shine.

"You-!" Madoka growled.

As Madoka tried to fire her Star Breaker, Shen threw her at the cops with a violent impact, knocking them out instantly. Squall and the others did not budge, casually cutting her Beef wellington before Shen leaped down to tear Chifuyu.

"You again…" Chifuyu revealing her Kurazakura.

Shen revealed a sadistic grin, firing her dual miniguns as Chifuyu evaded the gunfire. The Brunhilde nearly succeeded to strike Shen, but it came to an abrupt end when Shen grabbed her, and threw her at a dilapidated apartment one block away.

Ichika saw his elder sister flung like a football. "Chifuyu!"

Before he can save her, he was met by vicious swings by Seryu, making him occupied while the girls do their best to hold them off. The underworld turned into a chaotic shootout with bullets riddling the quiet atmosphere. Phantom Task soldiers hold off law enforcement, forcing cops to call in all backup, including Special Assault Team. In less than two minutes, reinforcement arrived to even the playing field. Liu and the others were also tangled up by a few Lion pilots that attacked with such ferocity. Laura and Kanzashi fired barrage of firepower at the Lion troops as Operation Exorcist has kicked off at high gear.

Chifuyu skidded across the rough pavement at 50 feet, coughing from the dust. The dilapidated apartment reeked of horrendous cement odor left untouched way overdue for demolition. Dust evaporated the hallway with rooms left in a messy condition.

"Where are you, Shen?" Chifuyu said, clenching her dual katanas. The Brunhilde walked cautiously with sweat trickling down her head as she tried to keep her cool. Chifuyu dealt with Shen before, formulating her strategies to bring down the scorpion.

"Stop hiding," Chifuyu growled. "I'll make it quick it for you."

Suddenly, a wall on the left side exploded into pieces, revealing no other than Shen. The scorpion used a throat cut gesture at the Brunhilde before she let loose her dual gatling guns. Chifuyu dove into a nearby room to avoid the bullets, but she could not advance towards her due to Shen's immense firepower. Knowing that her defense will crumble in seconds, Chifuyu dashed towards a steel pillar while Shen fired relentlessly.

Chifuyu leaped diagonally across the steel pillars to get closer to Shen, and slashed her helmet two times. But it only ended up scratching Shen, much to Chifuyu's dismay before Shen landed a chopping left against Chifuyu. Combined with a downward angle that added weight to the power, Chifuyu was knocked through a floor face down. Shen leaped down to watch the Brunhilde squirming. The moment she tried to get to her feet, Shen kicked her, skidding across the hallway.

"…" Shen being silent as usual, walking towards the Brunhilde.

Battered and bruised, Chifuyu wiped her bloody nose. Even though it did not look like much, Chifuyu was stunned from Shen's chopping left. To make things worse, her vision was impaired as she saw everything blurry.

Recovering from her stun, Chifuyu stood up before she rolled over from being stabbed by Shen's tail. Chifuyu attempted to parry, but Shen was too fast for her, and jabbed her in the stomach with poison. Her tail pierced through her armor like paper, sending Chifuyu in excruciating pain.

"AAAAHHHH!" Chifuyu yelled in pain, trying to shake off Shen's tail injecting her poison.

Chifuyu hacked the tail away as the poison coursed through her body, burning like gasoline on fire. Luckily, the poison was modified to not kill thanks to Squall that did some adjustments to upgrade Dread Gauntlet.

The Brunhilde stumbled, feeling sluggish from the poison before she parried Shen's tekko-kagi. The scorpion stood on her ground, defending Chifuyu's strikes while she swiped away and leaped back for room. Chifuyu won't let her get away by charging towards her with a side cut. Shen leaned back and swung her iron claws as Chifuyu evaded.

Despite the poison coursing through her body with intense pain that affected her agility, Chifuyu jumped over Shen, which the latter went for an overhead slash. Somehow, Chifuyu blocked the killing blow without looking back as if she had additional eyes.

"Is that all you got?" said Chifuyu, swiping away as she locked blades at Shen.

Small sparks emitted from the metal while they tried to overpower each other. Chifuyu repelled, followed by a riposte at Shen's body. The force made the scorpion reeled, though it more so annoyed Shen than getting injured.

Chifuyu clutched her katanas tighter to ward off the poison while her legs were shaking. Shen smirked and taunted the Brunhilde by extending her hands out to come at her.

The Brunhilde gritted her teeth. "You'll regret this for fighting me in the first place, Shen."

Chifuyu launched with her katanas before the bodyguard clapped both hands forward, forcing Chifuyu to slide on her back. Shen turned around to impale with her tail as Chifuyu deflected the incoming strike.

Shen conjured her dual railguns and fired that shook the hallway. Chifuyu does her best to get away from the railguns, but she was ambushed by Shen again, and kicked towards another wall. Shen charged in as the two clashed blades.

They both pass by each other, missing their strikes before Shen burrowed again. This irritated Chifuyu even more as Shen played too many games to wear her off. Using her kendo senses, Chifuyu took a deep breath to anticipate another ambush.

Minutes passed by, there was still no sign of Shen. The scorpion took her time to create more tunnels to give her advantage of ambush. Even though Shen did not come back to the surface, that does not mean Chifuyu can take a quick break while she advanced upstairs.

"There!" said Chifuyu, striking Shen at the right moment she popped out to impale with her tail.

The Brunhilde deflected the tail, executing a double jump side kick to her face, staggering the bodyguard temporarily.

"…" Shen slammed her fist against the wall.

Shen went to her tunnels to confuse Chifuyu again, forcing the Brunhilde on guard. Every time Shen ambushed Chifuyu, the latter fought back, only to find out she's at a disadvantage. No matter where she went, Shen always appeared and attack without warning.

Shen used her immense strength to rip a concrete wall, hurling it at the Brunhilde like a frisbee. Chifuyu charged, slicing it apart, only to be met by the railguns pointing at her forehead. She deflected the projectile, but Shen deliberately did so to drop her guard, and Chifuyu was caught by the scorpion's tail. Shen flung her up, crashing through walls she followed suite, and executed scorpion strikes before flinging her down to the ground.

Dazed and bruised from the violent blow, Chifuyu spat out a chunk of blood from her mouth. She was covered in myriads of injuries and dust as she coughed. Chifuyu briefly stared at Shen that had a few scratches while the former was badly injured.

Shen gave her thumbs down, provoking Chifuyu that she is weak and the fight was a kid's game. That irked the Brunhilde as Shen also gave an insulting taunt of how rustic the world's first IS pilot had become.

The bodyguard fired her gatling guns as Chifuyu stumbled away. But she tripped, reducing her to army crawl, and depended only on debris for cover, narrowly dodging the bullets as Shen fired relentlessly. Once she found cover, Shen fired relentlessly, making the Brunhilde powerless and out of hope. Luckily, Chifuyu found one of Shen's tunnels, and crawled through.

"Are you there, Chifuyu-nee? Chifuyu-nee, please respond!" Ichika via private channel before he heard static, not knowing that Chifuyu cut him off deliberately.

Sorry, Ichika. But I may not walk out of this one alive, Chifuyu thought.

The moment Shen stopped firing Chifuyu closed her eyes to concentrate for one minute. To die alone in a dilapidated apartment was the worst way to come to an end. With the plan set, Chifuyu crawled through the tunnels, and saw Shen advancing downstairs. The scorpion anticipated Chifuyu's overhead slash as the Brunhilde took her katana, and stabbed behind her.

Unfortunately, Chifuyu mistimed it in that while she got Shen, the scorpion countered with a backwards stab when the blade went through her body first. Shen did not even stagger, but it made her slower as she tried to strike Chifuyu with her tail. But the Brunhilde was not going to fall for that trick ever again.

Chifuyu charged towards Shen and…

CRUNCH

The sound of metal and flesh filled the ruined apartment. Chifuyu impaled Shen's heart with her last katana. She pushed the blade further into Shen, blood spilling out of the scorpion's mouth.

"!" Shen in disbelief, staring at Chifuyu's fatal blow.

Without a word, Chifuyu ripped out Shen's heart with her katana before she threw it aside that deflated slowly. The feared bodyguard was finally put to an end, and Shen fell down with a big thud in a pool of blood.

"That was for my friends…" Chifuyu muttered to the deceased Shen.

Chifuyu removed the impaled blade on her body as she tried to stumble away. However, she collapsed due to the wounds inflicted and the poison. Not before she activated a locator beacon and turned on her private channel.

Ichika did his best to hold off Lion pilots attacking ferociously. The foes were strong that copied the personal IS special abilities as if they were fighting their counterparts. The blue boy received connections from his private channel to Chifuyu.

"Chifuyu-nee! Where are you?" said Ichika, trading blows at Seryu.

Chifuyu smiled. "Where do you think? Follow the beacon. It should beep faster as you get closer..."

With that, the Brunhilde passed out paralyzed and bleeding as law enforcement and paramedics track down her beacon. Time was running out as Chifuyu heard sirens wailing outside, hoping she will make it back alive to see Ichika and the gang. To die by Shen is something Chifuyu will not put up at all. The Brunhilde may have slayed Shen to avenge her deceased comrades, but the shootout was far from over.

The conflict was growing out of control with Phantom Task soldiers getting more dangerous while cops and police tactical units do their best to fight back. Lion pilots matched move for move at Ichika and the girls with Ichika holding off Seryu. The blue boy executed an overhead slash with his Yukihara at Seryu, and threw her to the ground, temporarily knocking her out.

"On me!" Ichika rallied. "We're going to find Chifuyu. She's in serious danger from her fight."

Houki fended off Gate and Behemoth. "We can't leave in the middle of our battle, Ichika!"

"My older sister is someone I cannot leave behind," said Ichika.

"Wait, Ichika!" Cecilia protested, trading blows at Behemoth. "Just because you took out a Lion pilot doesn't mean you can run off where you want. They are bound to come back and hunt us down."

Ichika did not listen as he was fixated on rescuing Chifuyu. "Hang in there, Chifuyu-nee…"

The blue boy took off in the opposite direction, tracking down the beacon locator as Houki and Cecilia give chase to Ichika. They cannot afford to let Ichika run on his own before Houki fired her Thousands Piercing at Behemoth. The leader blocked the projectiles while Laura continued giving support fire to slow down Behemoth.

Things were not going so well for Mattheus, Tatenashi, and the girls that were pushed back by Lion reinforcements. To think they can catch a breath for one second, Lion pilots appear in all directions. Rin and Liu worked together to fight back while they gave the others a helping hand to repel Lion pilots.

"How many of those big cats are we dealing?" Joel questioned, assisting Mattheus.

"Unknown numbers until we are mauled completely," said Mattheus, firing his weapons. "Keep your heads intact!"

The Flemish boy avoided the Lion's vicious attacks while Tatenashi hack and slash two Lion pilots. While Rin was about to execute her finishing blow, Kaori sideswiped her from the right side, separating the tiger from the group.

"Oh no you don't!" Liu exclaimed, firing his Venom Slug at Kaori.

"Piss off, will you?" Kaori scowled, firing burst stream of fire at Liu.

The dragon tried to strike back, but he was tackled by another Lion pilot to keep him busy. While the others were tangled up, Kaori fired her gatling guns at Rin, pelting away her energy shields. Rin blasted her Ryuhou that made a direct hit at Kaori before the Phoenix revealed her Vortex blades with flames revolving.

Kaori let out a sadistic grin. "Do you miss me, Rin? I'm sure you do love the way I can burn you in many ways…"

"You make me sick every time I see your ugly mug," Rin growled, charging her Ryuhou. "This ends right now!"

The two charged at one another and clash blades. Rin saw Kaori's eyes fueled by Titan –M5 as the force of their frenzied attacks pushed them back with fire growing more around Kaori. The Phoenix and tiger went at it so fast that one could not see it by the blink of an eye.

On the other hand, Liu knocked out his foe with a few moves from his Heavenly Emperor as he went back up to support Tatenashi and the others. Their foes did not cease to surrender, giving them a harder time to push back.

During the heated battle, Liu saw his adversary on the ground. "You…"

Liu fired his Venom Slug at Three Dragons, but the latter avoided the onslaught easily as he partial deployed Oblivion, and fired. Liu barely avoided from being shot by the light blue projectile.

Three Dragons gestured. "Come on!"

"Not this time," said Liu, shooting his Venom Slug at Three Dragons.

Three Dragons leaped gracefully away from Liu thanks to Titan –M5 still inside of him that granted superhuman strength equivalent to an IS pilot. Three Dragons fired up Kaori's Lamborghini for a cat and mouse chase that took off at lightning speed. Liu chased down his hated adversary, throwing out the plans and tactics the gang went over as his mind was set on killing Three Dragons.