Fun fact: There's a line/phrase in this chapter that foreshadows to the ending, or at least part of the beginning of the ending. I'm kind of tempted to say that whoever finds it first gets something, because I'm pretty proud of including it in the story.

Find the Resistance!/Bring G.E.A.R down!

"All units have been mobilized, sir. We are prepared to search the city."

"Search everywhere. Every attic, every basement, every floor. Destroy the building if you have to. I want them gone."

"The units are armed with several pounds of explosives and weapons. They are ready for orders, sir."

-Linebreak-

"This place is kind of shabby, don't you think? Especially for headquarters..."

"Watch it, Feliks, this is my basement. Besides, it's not like we have many options."

"I know that, but, like, the place could use some decorating."

"If you want to decorate the place then be my guest..." Arthur shook his head. Feliks had just gotten back from a G.E.A.R base and he was talking about interior decorating? It was absurd... but at least he was being positive.

It was good to stay positive. Even though Arthur didn't act like it, he thought it was a good rule to live by, or just good advice. That's one of the reasons he stuck by Alfred. Alfred always found ways to make the most of any situation, he made things seem less hopeless.

The group was growing, albeit growing slowly. The two new members would definitely be helpful down the line, whenever and wherever their next hit was.

Feliks was assessing the room with a hint of distaste. He was easy enough to read, Arthur could tell what he thought most of the time. Kiku was different. Eighty percent of the time, he was unreadable. Said boy was just gazing at the furthest wall, specifically at a network of cracks in the plaster. He looked at Arthur, but Arthur shook his head back.

It was best not telling that story. It would only scare away the new recruits.

Luckily, Kiku didn't pry. He just nodded and turned the Alfred, who was currently yapping in Kiku's ear. Did that boy ever shut up?

Arthur grabbed his laptop and turned it on. He had made a list of all the Abnormals still in any of G.E.A.R's compounds, which he was knew would be useful to help keep track of who they had saved. He drew a line through 'Kiku Honda' and 'Feliks Łukasiewicz'. He pulled up the G.E.A.R database.

There was a quiet 'boom' from outside.

Thinking nothing of it, Arthur continued searching through files. Kiku jumped, Michelle looked around widely.

There was another 'boom'. This one sounded louder. Closer.

This time, there was a ripple of fear. What was happening?

'Boom', louder, closer.

'Boom boom boom', they were almost on top of headquarters now.

The whole building shook, and it dawned on them.

"Bombs..." Ludwig whispered, he sounded horrified. "They're bombing buildings, they are trying to find us!"

Arthur didn't move, "Erzsébet, Michelle, I want you two to lead everyone out. There's a door in the corner if you move the wardrobe, it leads out to the back, you should be able to hide in the forest for now. Go!"

No one moved. Alfred stepped toward Arthur, "C'mon Artie, you're coming too. I'm not leaving without you."

Ludwig agreed, "We won't leave anyone behind."

Francis put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. Arthur shook it off.

Arthur sighed. The building shook again. "I promise, I'll catch up to you. Now go!"

They kicked into gear, Alfred moved the wardrobe with ease just as the staircase to the basement collapsed. They ran down the secret hallway, Alfred stopping to put the wardrobe back. 'Boom'

Arthur could hear the building falling in on itself, but he didn't move. He couldn't, not when he was so close. He couldn't bring the laptop with him, it could be traced. That's probably why they found the headquarters so quickly. They weren't bombing blindly. 'Boom'

The wall around the door cracked, the crack spread to the ceiling. If he didn't move soon, he would be crushed. A shelf near the door fell down, shattering the picture frames that it held. Arthur took out his phone, and took a panorama of the basement, then a shot of the cracks Kiku looked at. They would help him rebuild, and maybe help him tell the story. He hoped they found somewhere like this. Maybe even someplace better.

Finally, just as the door fell in, he messaged himself any important files, so that he could still access them. He heard shouts from upstairs. Fortunately, the lack of stairs would halt their approach. Unfortunately, the crack in the ceiling was getting bigger and bigger, spreading to every corner of the room. This basement was unstable.

He closed the tabs on his computer, and started a factory reset. Before it could restart, he threw it against the wall and doused it in oil. Had he had more time, he would have found a more effective way of getting his finger prints off the device. As it was, G.E.A.R would still be able to take his finger prints, but it would take them sometime to get the oil off. They couldn't get the laptop on anymore, considering the screen was cracked and the whole thing smashed. Even if they were able to turn it on, there was nothing on it anymore. Nothing that could be seen easily, at least.

He needed to stall them as much as he could. Of course, if they took enough time and put enough hard work into it, they would be able to view everything Arthur had ever accessed on that laptop. But stalling was the most he could do.

He ran to the secret hallway and pushed the wardrobe out of the way. Once in, he pulled the wardrobe back into place and drew a hammer from his jacket. He knew asking Erzsébet to make a hammer for him was a good idea. Arthur smashed the entrance to the hallway to pieces. Any minute now; any slight tremor would collapse that entrance. G.E.A.R wouldn't be able to follow him.

He ran for the exit as fast as he could. He heard the boom, he felt the shaking, he heard the foundation of the hallway fail. He was just about to the exit when the whole thing gave, a huge chunk of solid concrete fell behind him, clouding the tunnel in dust. He could make out the door at the end, and burst through it.

He still ran, his home had been reduced to rubble. He ran into the forest and met up with the rest of his group. Alfred was hugging him, but Arthur was breathing heavily.

"-worried 'bout you. Don't ever do that 'gain." Alfred said, burying his face in Arthur's shoulder. "I don't want to loose m' teammate."

Francis looked at Arthur worriedly, "You were gone longer than we though you would be. We were all worried about you."

"I'm glad you're safe, Arthur~" Feliciano said.

"Yeah, it would be a shame if you died." Lovino agreed.

"While I am glad you're okay, our headquarters was destroyed... where are we going to go?" Michelle asked.

"I don't know." Arthur said.

"... Won't they be able to find us?" Kiku was staring at the building, he was definitely concerned.

"I took many precautions. They should be stalled."

Kiku nodded, "Okay... okay..."

Erzsébet gently patted his shoulder. Kiku let her.

"There has to be a place where like, people like us can stay for a while. Somewhere safe." Feliks said.

Lovino cleared his throat, "... There might be." He looked at Feliciano, "Our grandfather was an Abnormal. He bought a bunch of land and had a huge mansion built. He told us that it was for people like him, people like us. I think we can... er..."

Feliciano took over, "He's right! Grandfather said it was a pretty safe place! We could use it, it isn't too far!"

"Then what are we waiting for!" Feliks said as he grabbed Michelle's hand and attempted to drag her away. Michelle was too strong for him, though, because she didn't move.

Ludwig gazed at the ruins and rubble that used to be their headquarters. Finally, he spoke up," I think we should at least check it out. But we will have to be careful, G.E.A.R is most likely still looking for us."

-Linebreak-

"We found their base of operations, sir, but we didn't find them."

"... Where could they have gone?"

"We don't know, sir, but we suspect they may have fled to the woods. There is a chance... I mean, they may be on the other side of the country by now. They could be anywhere."

The Director put his head in his hands and groaned.

"Tell me something good, Dr."

"Security has gone up by three hundred percent since the break in."

"Good... promise me they won't get away next time."

"They won't get away again, sir!" Dr. DiVaulderbilt saluted and strode off.

He grumbled under his breath, "I hope there won't ever be a next time..."