SZ: Hey folks…sorry we haven't done any GSE as of writing this. We've been feeling..burnt out

Z0: Well with the exception of those of us who are fireproof…*currently on fire*

SZ: But…hopefully to tide you all until the next part of the current arc, we give y'all a new chapter for Side Stories.

Z0: Enjoy readers. *walks around while setting the office on fire* Hmm maybe we should turn the heat down…

SZ:...ugh…*grabs the fire extinguishers*We don't own anything aside from original content, folks..now if you'll excuse me…*starts spraying out the fires..before covering Z0 form head to toe in the foam*

Z0: Hmm now it's cold…*walks out before turning around* You sprayed me…prepare for retribution! *puts an airfryer on the floor* So long! *Airfryer turns to look at co-writers before it begins laughing*

Vice: Hahahaha…you thought you stopped me from entering! But I'm back~

SZ: Oh god…

"...Hey Max, you doin' alright?" Jubei asked, currently resting in the kitchen as Grandpa Max was busy cooking something, "Ever since the kid and his friends left to pursue that evil celestialsapien, you've been distracted quite a bit lately."

"I have no idea what you mean, Jubei. I am fine."

"Then explain why yer about to put baking soda in your soup."

"Hmm?" Grandpa Max blinked before looking at the box in his hands, "...oh. I thought I grabbed the Cayenne."

"Oh face it Max, you're worried. That boy of yours has faced a lot…but this is a Celestialsapien…that specializes in beatin' him," Jubei sighed.

"...I know," Grandpa Max sighed as he put the box down, "I have faith in Ben…but I can't help but feel worried for him and his friends."

"But it is an evil reality warping godly being…" Jubei argued, "It's not like Ben hasn't fought something like this."

"Well…he has…" Grandpa Max muttered.

"...oh yeah. That Dagon thing ya told me about," Jubei recalled, "Heh…from how ya described it, it would probably give both me and Haku-men a run fer out money."

"Well that was before Vilgax ate it…" Grandpa Max muttered.

"See the fact yer boy has faced that monster since he was 10…honestly he'd probably be a real force to be reckoned with if he had a little more edge to him." Jubei argued, "Heck you complain about how reckless he can be, but maybe that's what keeps him, well…him. If Ben were to lose that goofy whimsy wouldn't that make you worry even more, the idea of Ben no longer smiling as he saved the day?"

"...It honestly would, yeah," Grandpa Max admitted.

"Hey…Why not go out and do that there idea o' yers ya told me about? Dat scoutin' trip?" Jubei asked.

"...huh. You know, that's not a bad idea," Grandpa Max noted with a light chuckle, "Been meaning to head back to Japan anyways." he then began to rub his chin in thought, "Hmm...maybe I can have P'li and his team give me some assistance. Test their Japanese."

"See? That's a great idea. This is a much better use of your time," Jubei smiled, "Besides we could use a trip. This base just gets so stuffy after it gets attacked."

"Very true," Grandpa Max nodded, "I'll go tell them about the news." he quickly pulled out a spatula and slapped the tentacle that came out of the pot, "But first…maybe I should finish cooking this Chimera Su Genesis Stew."

"Ain't dat th' old name fer Vilgaxia's natives?"

"Learned it from Myaxx when we went to Galvan Prime when Ben was 11 and got stuck changing between aliens for a few weeks," Max explained.

"Well they look like tall walking cthulhu people…so I'm expecting something with a lot of umami in my head," Jubei admitted.

"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?" Yukizome asked, entering Headmaster Kirigi's office.

"I just got off the phone with Tennyson Max-san. He'll be coming with a small group to visit the school and check on the repairs in UnderTokyo," Kirigiri explained.

"And you want me or one of my students to be their tour guide," Yukizome guessed.

"Considering you've pulled a triple duty of watching over three classes of three different years, I'd rather not add more to your plate but ask you to select some students from the three classes you're the homeroom teacher for to give them a tour," Kirigiri replied.

"Well, I definitely will go with Jenny-chan considering she works for them when classes are done and her club activities have been finished," Yukizome noted, "For the others…I'll need to think on it."

"Perfect then," Kirigiri noted, "Just be sure they're not their usually…eccentric selves."

"Oh don't worry. I'm sure things will be fine," Yukizome assured as she smiled.

"Gh…" Mondo and Kaito grunted, their faces completely red as sweat dripped down their faces.

"...I'll bite, what's going on?" Jenny asked in a deadpan as she and the others in her club looked on at Hajime and Naegi.

"They wanted something spicy to challenge themselves, so they had Teruteru make them something with what he called 'Daemon's blood'..." Hajime muttered.

"Gundahm's suggestion after he tried a taste," Naegi added, "...He drank an entire gallon of milk right afterwards."

"Yeesh…" Hina cringed.

"Well…At least they haven't tried that food truck in Bellwood Park during the times we went there," Jenny noted, "Makoto, Kagura, and Bullet pretty much made that challenge of theirs they made to try to deal with Makoto's appetite end up getting them a lot of attention."

"I think it's best if they don't know." Naegi sighed, "Knowing them…they'd find some excuse to go back and try…"

"...ugh," Maki sighed as she shot Mondo and Kaito a deadpan stare, "How long?"

"...45 minutes…" Kaito grunted out.

"Still countin'..." Mondo added, his hand gripping the table hard.

"Why hasn't Ishimaru stopped this?" Kaede pondered before Sakura tapped her shoulder, making her turn to see the Ultimate Moral Compass sitting there with crossed arms…a literal pool of sweat underneath him, "..."

"Must…persevere…like Mondo…!" he grunted, his eyes literally burning red as steam began to escape his ears.

"...Mikan, please go get the milk," Kyoko sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "Ibuki...make sure she doesn't trip."

"Kay~!" Ibuki saluted...before she picked up Mikan and ran off, "Ike!"

"Kya~!"

"I…!" Kyoko began…before groaning, "Why do I try with her…?"

"Okay what is happening and why does it smell like a sauna?" Kuon asked, walking over, "No, wait…important question…who do I leave an imprint of my hand on?"

"Least he didn't say ring…I hate the smell of sweaty human skin…ugh…" Zaruba whispered.

"Whoever came up with the idea of who can handle spicy food the longest," Hina replied.

"...Huh. They look like some of the folks that tried that food truck in Bellwood," Kuon compared, "The T-Shirt is honestly quite soft."

"Mmm!?" they looked at him.

"What? …I got one." he blinked, "I have a life outside of you people."

"So…you can eat this stuff?" Naegi asked.

Kuon took a bite of the food they ate…with almost zero visible effect, "Mm…meh, I've had hotter."

"...no," Kyoko deadpanned as she grabbed Akane's hand, "Don't even try it…"

"But…"

"I don't think that's wise…" Kaede added as Ibuki slid back in, a pair of jugs of milk in hand with Mikan carrying another, "You're tough, Akane...but I don't think you can take it."

"Oh please…I've had spicy before," Akane argued with a toothy grin, "I can probably take it no prob!"

"You realize you're doing this because you witnessed Kuon do it…I don't think Kuon is even able to feel pain," Kaede pointed out.

"Not by normal means," Kuon admitted while still eating, "I think it's part of the freaky strength. This needs salt…"

"He's not human…" Mondo gasped after taking a few chugs of milk.

"Gotta be from space or somethin'...!" Kaito added in between his own chugs.

"He truly has nerves of steel!" Ishimaru exclaimed before he began chugging down on his own jug.

"You're all idiots…" Maki deadpanned.

"Yeah, that's called 'being a man,'" Kuon added, "It's natural, it's genetic, it is why our species is doomed. But then again, no one's perfect."

"Except Miu, w-OW~!" Kokichi's voice yelped from behind the doors before they opened, letting Yukizome walk in as Kokichi was rubbing his head, "Well that was mean, teach…"

"Don't instigate."

"But it's what I do~"

"Not today," She shook her head as she looked back at him, "Today is something special for your class, along with classes 77 and 78."

"Hm?" the group all looked at her.

"We have a very important group of guests coming tomorrow," Yukizome informed before smiling at Jenny, "I'm sure you know them quite well, Jenny-chan."

"Hm?" Jenny tilted her head.

"The one leading them is the eldest Tennyson-san."

"Oh! Grandpa Max!" Jenny beamed, "I haven't seen him in a long while…wait. Why…"

"He'll explain once he arrives," Yukizome responded

"Wait…Ben's Jiisan?" Mondo blinked.

"The one he said nothing but amazing things about?" Ishimaru asked.

"Literally a space hero?" Kaito added.

"Before any of you get ideas, I don't think you are ready for crazy space adventures…" Kuon muttered.

"He was actually meant to be on the famous trip to the moon, but I think he turned it down due to duties with the Plumbers," Jenny recalled.

"HUH?!" everyone exclaimed.

"He actually turned down the Moon Landing!?" Kaito gawked.

"Would you rather go to the moon…or go on a crazy Star Wars space adventure with aliens, robots, lasers, and green space women?" Kuon asked.

"Either is fine with me!" Kaito declared before putting a foot on the table, "As the Luminary of the Stars, it is my g-nay!-my Dream to make it to space!"

"..." Kuon took a spoonful of the spicy food and jammed it into Kaito's mouth.

"?!" Kaito tensed, his entire body turning red before he began expelling fire, "ATCHI~!"

"...Who made the hot sauce?" Yukizome asked.

"Teruteru," Hajime responded.

"...Right. Another spice he won't be using anytime soon then."

"Hah?!" Teruteru exclaimed as he poked his head out from the kitchen, "But sensei, I just got the Daemon's Blood just right! I even made it spicier than the one back in the USA!"

"...Why?!" Maki exclaimed in an incredulous tone.

"Because I am a chef and I will improve on any recipe!" he declared as he struck a pose…with a bit of blood dripping from his nose, "Also score some possible points with any lovely spice lovers out there."

"..." Kuon flicked the spoon and launched a piece of the food into Teruteru's mouth, making him pause as it took effect, "You're not making it again unless it's made with paper work to acknowledge it was their choice."

"That's a fair compromise," Yukizome nodded as everyone ignored Teruteru rolling around the ground in pain from the scoville level of the food, "Anyway…I was hoping some of you could help give a tour of the school for our visitors tomorrow."

"Oh sure. I don't mind," Jenny smiled, "I'm just happy to see him again."

"Oh! M-" Hina began before Ishimaru zipped over in front of her, "Ahh!"

"I will most certainly make sure our guests are comfortable and feel welcomed!" Ishimaru declared with a salute.

"Great enthusiasm!" Yukizome cheered, pumping a fist, "Any other volunteers?"

"I mean it's either follow around the old space man, or be stuck in whatever stupid nonsense happens here," Kuon pointed out, "Let's face it: if I don't go, some of you will probably die."

"D-Die?" Naegi gawked.

"It does depend on who's coming with Grandpa Max," Jenny agreed before she looked at their homeroom teacher.

"All I was told that it was a small group with Tennyson-san leading it," Yukizome admitted with a shrug.

"Yeah, I should've expected Grandpa Max to pull off a surprise," Jenny sighed with a small smile.

"Um…Why do you call him 'Grandpa?'" Hajime pondered.

"Well…He just feels like an amazing grandpa," Jenny replied, thinking about it, "It just…feels right."

"I get how she feels," Kaito spoke once the spice finally subsided in his mouth, "Even if he's unable to, my gramps is always there to support me in my dream."

"My little sibs really like the elderly couple that're helping me look after them while I'm here at school," Akane admitted.

"That's good!" Yukizome beamed, "Even if you're related by blood or not, it takes the kindness of one elderly gentleman or woman to help guide us on the right path!"

"I wonder if one of them will be Jinny," Akane grinned.

"JANAI!" Jin snapped, startling his coworkers on monitor duty.

"E-Everything alright?" one asked.

"...I'm fine," Jin replied simply as he went back to watching the night time feeds and chuckled, "The stupid rat got caught trying to sneak into brother's office."

"Dead Argit walking," another Plumber rolled her eight eyes.

"Nah. Looks like he got caught by that robot of that girl," Jin replied.

"How so?" both asked.

"He got thrown into the river. That machine of hers always throws its victims into bodies of water."

"Here's yer order, Naegi!" Teruteru cheered as he held up a large bag.

"Ah, thanks senpai," Naegi thanked, accepting the bag.

"Hoo, I'm quite surprised at how much you've been ordering to eat. Been trying to add some pounds?" Teruteru asked.

"Ah…W-Well…kinda. With how often we get into things, I'm a bit worried about it all, so adding a few pounds to help work on myself…"

"Ah. Say no more," Teruteru chuckled with a wink, "You just be careful, alright? You've got the eye of quite a few ladies that may get upset with you getting a bit rounder before you work it off."

"Huh?" Naegi tilted his head.

"Michael Jackson~!" Teruteru groaned, hitting his head on the counter, "There's innocence…and then there's you, Naegi-kun…"

"Eh?" Naegi tilted his head again before deciding it was just Teruteru being himself and walked out with his ordered meal, 'Hopefully the order is right enough for them at least…'

"So we're just standing out here waitin' on Tennyson's gramps?" Miu asked as the group stood near the school fountain.

"That's right," Sakura nodded.

"...and you made sure the two little snots that are Hiyoko and Kokichi wouldn't try to make things more 'exciting'?" she added with air quotes

"Kuon made sure of that," Kyoko replied.

"Why?" Hiyoko groaned…currently tied up and hanging upside down in the gymnasium with Kokichi.

"Ugh…all the blood…is going to…my head…" Kokochi mumbled.

"..." Jenny's hair twitched before one pigtail turned into a satellite dish and her eyes flashed a few times, "Okay. They're on their way via Groundbridge." on cue, the bright green swirling portal appeared before them, "Good timing."

Grandpa Max stepped out first and looked around, "Been a while since I was here. Feels a lot cleaner."

"Speak fer yerself," Jubei muttered, sitting on Grandpa Max's shoulder, "Feelin' some strong auras here. Lots o' potential."

"Yeah, but last time it just had this filth from lots of issues that needed to be cleaned," Grandpa Max spoke, "Now it feels kinda nice to be here."

"A…A Nekomata?" Gundham whispered, tensing up a little.

P'li screamed as he rolled out of the Groundbridge, his roll being halted by Sakura holding up a foot, "Goi! …pha'ks…" P'li muffled out behind the foot.

"A panda?" Hina pondered.

"I warned P'li to look out for that cable," Ma'antis groaned, riding on Qrow's shoulder as he stepped through.

"I am ssssso sssorry for P'li," Vipress apologized as she wrapped her arms around the panda alien and pulled him away from Sakura's foot.

"I'm a clumsy guy," P'li admitted, "Ah! This is so awesome~! Look how big this place is!"

"P'li, please don't embarrass us," Razorclaw sighed as she came out last as the portal vanished.

"?!" Akane gawked, her ears and tail popping out, "Is she…?"

"A female Apopplexian? Yep," Jenny replied, "Her name's Razorclaw."

"So that's what a normal one looks like…wait…then why does she have a tail?" Kuon looked at Akane.

"My guess? A mutation due to being a hybrid of human and Apoplexian," Jenny replied.

"And just when I thought things about her started making sense…" Kuon deadpanned.

"Welcome to Kibougamine, Tennyson-san and guests," Yukizome greeted with a bow, "I am Yukizome Chisa."

"Mighty fine t' meetcha," Jubei greeted, "Name's Jubei, miss."

"Pleasure to be back, Miss. Yukizome," Grandpa Max smiled, "Seems you have been able to bounce back wonderfully."

"Indeed!" Yukizome beamed, "It took a lot of hard work to get back to myself, but I'm happy to say I've never felt better!"

"Thankfully space is a good deal ahead of Earth in some forms of medical care." Grandpa Max mused happily, "Now I hope you don't mind our visit; the last thing we'd want is to disrupt an entire school day."

"I don't think you need to worry about that, Grandpa Max," Jenny chuckled, "If anything, you are a welcome new element to our brand of weird."

"Oh! These are the students who have volunteered to help give a tour of the school," Yukizome spoke, motioning to the small group before blinking a few times, "Gundham, why are your Devas throwing salt towards Jubei-san?"

"A warding ritual," Gundham replied, keeping his eyes focused on the two-tailed cat, who just chuckle.

"Ah doncha worry 'bout nothin'," Jubei assured, "I honestly like humans and folks from space."

"Don't worry. Jubei might resemble a certain mythical creature with a bad reputation, but he's a good person to the core," Grandpa Max chuckled, "He's a friend that acts as an unofficial drill sergeant to get my Agents and Officers into fighting shape. Or at least better at fighting if their shape should not be changed."

"Learned that one the hard way with Fluffy here," Jubei poked P'li, making him giggle uncontrollably.

"P'li…" Razorclaw and Vipress sighed, facepalming in unison.

"It sure seems like a great place," Qrow complimented, looking around, "Nice open air, sound exterior…"

"Of course!" Ishimaru declared as he shot before the group, "Here at Kibougamine, we make sure that any students both old and new feel welcome and have enough free space to roam around during classes!"

"Well those who go to class…" Jenny chuckled.

"What…I like to sleep in. I'm not missing much," Kuon argued.

"...Is she alright?" Razorclaw asked, noticing Akane staring at her, "She's been staring at me for some time."

"...Akane, no," Kyoko spoke.

"Huh? Wha…?" Akane blinked as she looked over, "No what?"

"No attempting to fight her."

"What? No. Just…things going through my head right now…" Akane replied, making her friends blink in surprise.

"...You were thinking things?" Kaede blinked.

"You can think?" Miu blurted before Kaede elbowed her, "Ow…"

"Yeah, that might be because we learned she's…well lets just say she has the DNA of someone from your home planet," Kuon blurted out as he poked Akane's head, "It's been causing all sorts of strange things…key of which is we think it weirdly makes her brain work more."

"Really now?" Razorclaw asked as she looked over at Akane, "...do you know anything of Appoplexia's history?"

"Nope."

"...Your possible heritage?"

"I think my mom...my actual mom was one, but doubt my deadbeat dad would tell me anything," Akane explained before frowning, "...If I ever even decide to see him or my step-mom…"

"Ah, I see…" Razorclaw frowned, "Well…then it seems it falls to me to help you learn half of your heritage."

"Well, that's some good news…I think…" Kuon muttered.

"Wait…so you're gonna help me?" Akane blinked.

"Of course…and hopefully test a few things from you," Razorclaw added as she began to walk off, "Come."

"Right! Oh! I know a great place at the gymnasium that's both good for fightin' in and private!" Akane beamed.

"Hm…then lead the way. Th-" Razorclaw began before she was picked up and carried off at high speed, "AHH!"

"And there she goes again…" Maki deadpanned.

"Kuon, would you please go after them to keep Akane in check?" Yukizome sighed.

"Yeah, yeah…" Kuon sighed as he walked off, "If I feel they're going too far when a fight breaks out, you'll know."

'Hm?' Jubei pondered, glancing at Kuon…or, rather, the ring on his finger, 'Well now…Whacha got there?'

"Five Tayden on them getting into a brawl in the first five minutes," Ma'antis bet.

"Oh, I'll go in on that. Seven on it being ten," Dasheng grinned.

"...This one's a prankster, isn't he?" Kyoko asked, looking to Vipress.

"Yep," the serpent alien replied, "Experience?"

"Too much from a senpai and kohai," Kyoko replied.

"Two pranksters? I feel for you," Vipress sighed, patting the Ultimate Female Detective's shoulder in sympathy.

"Ahahahaha~!" everyone turned to see P'li hanging upside down from a tree, a rope ensnaring his right ankle, "Uh…A little help?"

"...Not a real panda!" Yukizome called to a girl around Akane's age in hunter's clothing over her school uniform peeking out of a nearby bush, "Alien subspecies that resembled a panda, however."

"Another to the list!" the girl cheered.

"...That's the girl from 77-A?" Grandpa Max asked, recalling the report from the original trip to Kibougamine.

"Yep. The Ultimate Huntress," Yukizome replied as P'li and the girl made funny faces at a phone on a selfie stick, the panda alien still upside-down, before she let him go and ran off with a wave, "Don't be surprised when she catches your coworkers and takes a photo with them."

"She's really good at it, too," Hina added, "She even caught Akane once."

"Which she used meat on the bone for bait," Maki added in a deadpan.

"She considers Kibo and I her greatest challenge and swears to catch us before graduation," Jenny admitted, "Mainly for the fact we keep detecting her traps before they go off."

"I'll catch you both one day, Wakeman-san!" said mentioned Huntress shouted off screen.

"We'll see~!" Jenny waved in amusement.

"Heh heh. We'll you've certainly made quite a few friends here, Jenny," Grandpa Max chuckled.

"Yep!" Jenny beamed, extending her arms and wrapping them around the members of her club to pull in for a hug, "You've met most of them, but there are more that haven't traveled to the US and got to meet you!"

"That tour of the Plumbers HQ was badass…" Miu sighed fondly.

"From what Mondo told me, he was able to upgrade his ride thanks to a few known people there," Ishimaru recalled...before quickly turning to Grandpa Max with a salute, "N-not that I'm disparaging your repair crew or anything, Tennyson-san!"

Grandpa Max chuckled, holding up a hand in assurance, "Ah, it's fine. It's fine. Plumbers often have getting along and forming connections with natives as a natural part of the job. We're an organization meant to protect folks and connect them together."

"Interesting," Kaede noted.

"Well…Shall we get this tour started?" Yukizome smiled, clapping her hands together.

"Of course. Lead the way, please," Grandpa Max grinned.

"Um…I'm still tied up here," P'li noted.

"I'll get him down," Qrow sighed.

"Alright, do you feel ready to learn about your mother's side of your family?" Razorclaw asked, the two standing in the middle of the gymnasium Akane and Makoto had once brawled in, "You have a long heritage from another world entirely."

"Well, I want to learn more about…my honestly weird traits," Akane nodded, "Everyone says being half of your species…explains a lot…"

"How so?" Razorclaw asked.

"My appetite, my love of a good fight…" Akane noted.

"Do you have a strong sense of protectiveness to those younger than you? Especially infants and children?"

"Yeah! I have a lot of sibs and if anything bad happens to them…" Akane began before growling, "I'd rip their guts out and knit them into a scarf to strangle whoever messed with them!"

"You most certainly are indeed part Apoplexian." Razorclaw nodded simply, as while graphic by earth standards it was just faintly reminiscent of home to her, with just a hint of mutual agreement given what she asked.

"...and being honest…I'm kinda scared," Akane admitted, making Razorclaw raise a brow, "I like to go wild when I fight, but..what if I lose myself or something to my Appoplexian side?"

"...what brought this up?"

"One of my Classmates Teruteru made a special corn syrup that would push me beyond 100% of my strength," Akane admitted, reaching into her bust and pulled out a small bottle of Teruteru's Doping Corn Syrup, "And that was before I found out I had dormant DNA in me. If I tried to drink it now…I'm scared I'll lose myself or something.

"I see…" Razorclaw noted, rubbing her chin in thought.

"I mean, just awakening up this Appoplexian DNA made me go nuts…though I think most of the damage caused was…Kuon stopping me."

"Don't you dare deflect blame onto me! If I didn't stop you, who knows what you would have done!" he shouted from the other side of the gymnasium.

"Hmm…If you were awakening it for the first time…and given your age…" Razorclaw noted in thought, "Ah…You were dealing with the First Rage."

"First Rage?"

"Appoplexian children are relatively calm natured and playful. When an Apopplexian hits puberty, that's when our stereotypical anger develops, otherwise known as the First Rage. Normally, when that hits, an Apopplexian parent has to hold the one going through it down for a bit or knock them out," Razorclaw explained, "It's actually quite common."

"Huh….that so…" Akane noted in her mutters.

"So she ate something and unlocked alien puberty…it was that simple…" Kuon shrugged.

"Well, yes, but also not at the same time," Razorclaw noted, "Your human half seems to have helped with keeping yourself calmer than most Apopplexians."

"Really? You seems pretty chill," Akane noted.

"Yes, because I practiced martial arts and learned how to meditate," Razorclaw explained, "It took me years before I could avoid snapping on a simple snap of the fingers."

"Huh…guess that's a good thing. I don't cause that much damage that way," Akane muttered, "But what about my little sibs? What if they suddenly wake up to this Appoplexian stuff? They're small…I can't just let Kuon hit them…his fists hurt!"

"I'm not gonna hit kids!" Kuon shouted, "And why would it be my job to stop them!?"

"Well you knocked me out…"

"You were in a rage!"

"Well you stopped me…"

"You threw me into a car and turned it into a crushed can!"

'I should point out this is how my parents act around one another when they flirt…but I should probably keep that quiet until later,' Razorclaw thought, a drop of sweat going down the back of her head, "And you can't simply pin them because…?"

"Huh?" both looked at her.

"I said that you could knock them out or pin them when the First Rage happens," Razorclaw explained, "My mother went with pinning me when mine went off."

"Your mom? Not your dad?"

"No, I knocked him out with an uppercut," Razorclaw replied as if it were talking about the weather, "Broke the roof of our treehouse and he loves to gloat to the neighbors that their kids only cracked the ceiling." she nodded to Akane, "Crushing a vehicle is quite impressive."

"Oh….heh. Well I had a pretty good coach in Nekomaru," Akane grinned a bit as she flexed her muscle, "Always go into it beyond 110%!"

"I imagine the whole Appoplexian thing must explain her She-Hulk form…" Kuon muttered.

"I'm sorry, but 'She-Hulk' form?" Razorclaw questioned.

"The soup…when she drinks it…her muscles grow," Kuon explained, "I've only ever seen video evidence."

"Do you suspect she'd beat you in this state?"

"Hahahaha!" Kuon laughed before pausing, "Wait. You're serious? Bwahahahahaha~!"

"Mmm…" Akane fumed.

"And I take it this is the thing you're worried about consuming?" Razorclaw asked, raising a brow at Akane.

"Well I mean it was one thing back when I thought I was just human. But I've seen what happens when Ben turns into this Appoplexian form," Akane explained.

"Hahaha…ah…that is a riot. Say, is he naked on purpose or something?" Kuon asked.

"If that's normal…I don't think that plus the soup…is a good idea. I think…I'm not really sure, math makes me confused." Akane continued.

'Oh I got my work cut out for me…' Razorclaw mentally sighed.

"Wait, wait, wait…You're serious about there being underground labs for students to use to improve their talents?" Dasheng asked in surprise as they walked through a part of the building with several labs, "I honestly thought that part of the report was just some embellishment…"

"No, it's real," Naegi replied, a phantom pain going down his back, "I've fallen down the stairs more than once…both on the normal ones and the secret entrance one for the statue out front…"

"We try to make sure the more life-related talents are kept above ground. Such as our Ultimate Botanist, Shikiba Santa, using one to grow his plants," Yukizome explained.

"Botanist? Any chance he doesss commission work?" Vipress asked.

"Maybe," Hina replied before tapping her cheek in thought, "I think Gonta-kun knows where he is."

"Hello?"

"Eek!" the girls-minus Maki and Kyoko-yelped in surprise as the group turned to see Gonta standing over them.

"Oh! Sorry…Gonta did not mean to startle you," Gonta apologized with a quick bow, "Gonta just heard his name be mentioned while he was helping butterfly out of spider web."

"Heh. Yer fine, big fella," Jubei assured with a chuckle, "Also hoo wee…you are a giant of a fella to be goin' here."

"Oh well thank you. Gonta is Ultimate Entomologist, but Gonta's goal is to become true gentleman," Gonta smiled.

"Well, I'm thinkin' yer on th' right way t' bein' one," Jubei chuckled.

"Gonta's acting pretty calm with Jubei-san," Kaede whispered to her friends.

"I'm guessing it's due to his upbringing," Jenny quietly noted.

"Hm?" Kaede pondered.

"Have you never asked about his upbringing? Shuichi and I did and-hoo boy-it's a bit of a doozy," Jenny noted, "But I'll let him explain it since it's personal to him."

"Oh...fair enough…" Kaede whispered before looking over at Gonta, "Ano…Gonta?"

"Hmm?" Gonta blinked as he looked over at her, "Hai, Akamatsu-san?"

"I was wondering if you knew where Shikiba-senpai is," she replied, "Vipress-san was wondering if they could take commission work."

"Hmm…Ah. They would be over in the old school building," Gonta replied, adjusting his glasses before pointing out the window to the old school building, "There is a large garden on the fifth floor he works in." he bowed to Vipress, "Gonta is pleased to meet you."

"Likewissse," Vipress giggled, bowing in return, "Magister Tennyson, would you mind..?"

"Go on ahead. We'll be fine from here," Grandpa Max assured., "Plus this is a good chance to work on getting along with Earth folk."

"Thank you, Magister," Vipress thanked before slithering off…before yelping as she was caught in a cloth and pulled out a window, "EEK!"

"...Pfft…" Dasheng snorted while covering his mouth with all four of his hands, the laughter evident in his eyes.

"Oh~!" P'li awed before running over to the window and poked his head out, "Nice trap!"

"Thank you~!" the Ultimate Huntress's voice thanked outside.

"Huh…Thought you'd be more annoyed with her," Jenny noted.

"You kidding? Her trapping skills are just so amazing! You couldn't even tell the floor had a covering on it!" P'li replied.

"Eep!" Mikan yelped as she bolted behind Ibuki, "Th-the floor is trapped?!"

"Hm? Nah. She probably has two traps," P'li replied, "Too many and you're just proving you're paranoid. Too little, though, and you're too confident. Two's normally the best amount."

"Why do you know that?" Yukizome asked in surprise.

"Eh, did a lot of study on Khyber the Huntsman and a few other intergalactic hunters," P'li replied.

"Well knowing how a hunter thinks should help next time he shows up." Grandpa Max noted, "Though he has been silent as of late. I wonder what he's scheming?"

"Who knows?" Qrow replied.

"We just need to be ready for anyth…" P'li began before yelping as he was grabbed by another rope snare trap, "WHOA! Uh…Little help, please?"

"Gonta has it," Gonta replied as he walked over and, with a strong tug, snapped the rope and caused P'li to fall flat on his face.

"...f'nks…" P'li muffled out.

"You are welcome," Gonta smiled as he helped P'li up, "Oh! Gonta need to check on friends! Excuse Gonta."

"Friends?" Ma'antis repeated.

"He's the Ultimate Entomologist," Kaede explained.

"Entomologist?" Ma'antis repeated as Kokichi walked by, "What's an Entomologist?"

"Does he work with doors?" Dasheng pondered, scratching his head.

"It's the study of how to eat bugs, monkeys, and monkey-like or bug-like aliens," Kokichi whispered to the duo while walking away.

"Huh?!" Ma'antis and Dasheng exclaimed, causing Gonta to notice them…or, rather, Ma'antis.

"...Oh!" Gonta gasped, stars in his eyes.

"...Book it, monkey boy!" Ma'antis screamed, slapping Dashenge's shoulder.

"Booking it!" Dasheng panicked as he ran off.

"Ah! Wait! Please! Gonta wishes to talk with you!" Gonta called as he ran after them, even jumping out a window the Arachnachimp jumped through after opening it.

"...What just happened?" Qrow asked as the students all facepalmed.

"Remind me of this later to inform Kuon-kun about," Yukizome deadpanned.

"That was the school troll, Kokichi," Jenny sighed.

"He has that troublemaker energy…" Grandpa Max sighed, shaking his head, "Kids like that need discipline."

"Hence why we punish him and Hiyoko via Kuon," Naegi noted, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head, "Or to Yukizome-sensei."

"When they get the choice, they always go to Kuon-kun for some reason," Yukizome noted, "I wonder why…"

"Kuon makes it fast…" Jenny whispered, "One punch, a few days out cold. End of it."

"Oh, he knows the fast method for dealing with troublemakers," Grandpa Max chuckled, "Employed that on Ragna when we first met."

"Jin-senpai's brother?" Naegi asked, recalling what Kyoko had told him about the Nu Incident.

"Yeah, he's the sheriff of Undertown back in Bellwood. He really gets along with alien folks," Grandpa Max laughed.

"With a brother like Jin who could blame him?" Jenny giggled.

"SCREW YOU!" Jin snapped, snapping up in his bed, "..." he narrowed his eyes, "Wakeman must be talking about me again…" he laid back down, "I swear her next visit is going to result in snow inside of her casing…"

"..." Mari twitched from where she had hit the wall at, slowly sliding down it and vowing revenge later swimming in the mind of the mutated mink.

"...mmm...Kazuichi-san said I should practice before a mirror…" Kibo muttered as he stood before a full body mirror, "I feel it would defeat the purpose…but…" he paused as he took a deep breath, "W-Wakeman-san…will you go out with me? ...no. That sounds too normal…" he then quickly tried a cool pose, "Hey Jenny…you, me, a date? ...no. I feel that would offend her…" he muttered before adopting a mysterious pose, "Hoh…Wakeman-san…a perfect time to ask…shall you accompany me to the dance? ...no. too confusing…" he whispered..before getting on his knees, "Please go out with me~! ...no. I believe that makes me come off as needy…" he sighed as he got up, "Mou…I had know idea how hard this truly i-"

"Kibo?"

"AHH!" he yelped as he quickly turned, seeing Jenny and the others looking on at him as they entered, "J-Jenny?! Minna?!"

"Is…everything okay in here?" Jenny asked.

"Uh…" Kibo began before smacking himself in the face, forcing the blush on his blush to fade as he stood straight, "Yes! Everything is alright!"

"...What's with the full body mirror?" Miu blurted out.

"Noreason," Kibo quickly replied as he quickly pushed said mirror away.

"Well dats just asking for bad luck…" Jubei muttered, "Jen, I think this robo-kid is missing a few updates…" he whispered.

"Please be nice. He's a good person," Jenny quietly assured, "He's just learning how to be around humans like Robotboy was."

"Yeah, but the little guy at least had the cute factor goin' fer him," Jubei shrugged.

"Well that's bec-" Miu began before Hina and Kaede elbowed her in the gut, "Oof!"

"Don't spill it!" Kaede hissed.

"But..." Miu began before Maki pinched her in the neck, making her tense as she fell over.

"You're welcome," Maki muttered.

"...Uh…S-So what brings you and your friends here, J-Jenny?" Kibo asked as he tried to keep a calm composure.

"Oh well…" Jenny began.

"We re here to help give Magister Tennyson and his entourage a tour of Kibougamine and give them…!" Ishimaru began in his declaration

"Oh! You look so awesome!" P'li awed, "Hiya! I'm P'li! Nice ta meetcha!"

"P-Panda?" Kibo blinked a few times.

"Have you just now noticed the talking bipedal animal people?" Miu blinked, gesturing to P'li and Qrow.

"How are you already awake?" Maki asked her before pausing, "...On second thought, I don't want to know…"

"I'm awake…I just have no control of my body…" she admitted.

"She really doesn't," Ibuki smiled before blinking as she looked around the room, "...Hey. Isn't this where Korekiyo stores some of his more…creepy stuff."

"?! C-cre…" Mikan began as she took a step back…before yelping as she was suddenly lifted up, "KYA!"

"Mikan?! Wh-" Hina began as she and the others looked up...and saw her stuck in a spiderweb surrounded by fake Juragumo statues…all while stuck in a rather suggestive pose as she visibly shook, "Oh not again…"

"Mmmm~!" the nurse whimpered out of pure fear.

"...Is this normal?" Grandpa Max couldn't help but ask.

"It is...we've been trying to get her out of that habit," Kyoko sighed.

"Hmm…Alf did mention one of the students here had some form of trauma," the elderly Tennyson muttered as Sakura reached up and helped Mikan down.

"Well Alf has been checking in to see who needs more help, or just help in general." Jenny added, "I have helped him keep in touch with everyone."

"Via the monitor in her tummy." Hina giggled.

"It really helps!" Ibuki added before a yelp from Qrow and Kibo went off, "?" she blinked before looking up, seeing the two snared into a trap.

"...um…help?" Qrow asked.

"...wow…" most blinked as Grandpa Max just walked up and poked the snare, making it release them.

"You boys sure do get into a lot of shenanigans around here," he chuckled, "Is that normal? If so…how have you survived this semester?"

"Kuon," the girls all spoke up in unison.

"He really does reign in all the chaos here…" Hajime muttered.

"Also he saves you whenever something weird happens," Hina added, "How did a trip up into the forest become some sort of survival horror movie for all of you?"

"I really could not tell you…and I have a literal recorded memory," Kibo sighed, "But I mean, it's not like that much chaos happens…"

"I beg to differ," Maki deadpanned, "Just last week, Gonta went out on a search for Naegi, Shuichi, and Hajime after he caught everyone...for another bug party."

"Bug Party?" Jubei raised a brow.

"A party where he wants us to bond with bugs," Kaede explained…before shivering, "He tries...but…so many bugs.."

"We had to rescue Himiko and Mikan from an army of ants," Hina added.

"Ibuki got carried off by moths!" Ibuki added.

"Really the only calming ones in the room were myself, Kuon, and Sakura," Maki sighed.

"Bullspit," Miu snorted, "You were being glomped by that space-loving idiot Kaito when he was screaming his h-"

"You want to die that badly?" Maki frowned as her eyes glowed red.

"GH!" Miu tensed as she bolted behind P'li, "Eh heh…no no. All good..I didn't say a thing!"

"Good…"

"...mmm…" Jubei frowned a bit, keeping an eye on Maki for a moment as she turned, "...Say Max. Wasn't there a case about an assassin's guild using and training children you were lookin' into one time?" he whispered to Grandpa Max.

"Yes, I was able to get what little I could from Interpol files. I launched my own investigation because I felt for the kids. Thankfully I was able to swing it as a potential paranormal case to get clearance," Grandpa Max whispered back at a volume he knew only Jubei could hear clearly, "And once more thankfully I could get more progress with alien tech being reliable…but my trail went cold. Now and again I'll send some sturdy rookies to look into the case for me…why ask?"

"I think that Maki girl might be a former member of 'em," Jubei whispered back with a frown, "That steely gaze she gave just now…that's something only an assassin would know."

"Jin told me he noted something worth noting about her." Grandpa Max stated, "Knowing what I know, I honestly feared the people who used to be in charge recruited kids with above average potential for combat and violence…for ulterior motives." he sighed.

"Like the taller young lady or this Kuon boy?" Jubei asked, earning a nod.

"Along with Hajime from what Tsubaki's report said about him," he added.

"Well in hindsight…they're dead…" Jubei stated, "So…now we just need to worry about what new eyes might set their sights on these kids' potential."

"Well…in that case, it would be safer if we took them in wouldn't it?" Grandpa Max mused with a smile.

"...heh. It really would," Jubei grinned back as the group began to move.

"...Just so we're clear…" Maki began once she passed Grandpa Max and Jubei, "I only did it for the orphanage I grew up in…"

"?!" the two tensed as Maki walked further away from the two.

"...excellent hearin' too," Jubei noted with a small grin.

"I'll say," Max softly agreed.

"Mou~! I can't believe I slept in!" Kaito shouted as he ran, rushing through the school grounds as he did a quick sharp turn, "I was waiting for today and I ended up sleeping in…Ahh~! Why did I have to take on that challenge!?" he groaned as he opened the gym doors, "J-"

*BAM!*

"...oops. Sorry…" Ryoma muttered as he lowered his tennis racket.

"Mmm mm…" Kaito muffled groaned, the tennis ball lodged into his face before he pulled it out, "Gah! Ahh…geez. What was…?"

"Practice.." Ryoma stated before pointing his tennis racket over at Akane, "For her."

"Eh?"

"Yeah, sorry…It's meant to help with my Appoplexian genes," Akane sheepishly chuckled, "Part of Razorclaw's training kinda."

"Razorclaw?" Kaito repeated before Akane motioned her head over to said Appoplexian and Kuon standing nearby, "?!"

"In case you're wondering..no. They haven't left yet," Kuon explained.

"Oh phew…then I still have a shot!"

"Who is this?" Razorclaw asked.

"Oh, this is Kaito, Ultimate Astronaut!" Akane beamed, "He's Ryoma's classmate and really funny!"

"I'm also known as the Luminary of the Stars!" Kaito declared as he posed, his jacket blowing in the 'wind,' "Even crying children stop in awe when they see me!"

"He also slacks," Ryoma stated, making Kaito facefault, "...Am I done?"

"Yeah…you are for now," Razorclaw replied, earning a nod from Ryoma as he walked off, "Hmm…Who else can we ask to help…?"

"Hmm..oh! Tenko!" Akane replied, "She's good at Martial Arts with her whole Neo Aikido thing!"

"Neo Aikido?" Razorclaw raised a brow.

"Something her sensei taught her," Kaito replied as he got up, "Also uh…heads up. She's…"

"HIYAH!" a voice shouted as a girl with dark olive-green hair pulled into twin long ponytails shouted as she jumpkicked him from behind, making him scream as he flew into the tennis net, "Degenerate Male! I didn't give you permission to speak about me so freely!"

"I was just explaining…" Kaito groaned inside the net.

"Even still!"

'Oh god…she's worse than what Kaede said…' Kuon mentally groaned.

"...Wow. She has a lot of issues, doesn't she?" Razorclaw asked, raising a brow.

"When it comes to men, yeah," Akane shrugged, "Other than that, she's a pretty good sparring partner when Sakura or Nekomaru aren't available….in fact…hey Tenko!"

"Hmm?" Tenko blinked as she looked over, "Oh hey, what's up?"

"I need a sparring partner to help with my Appoplexian genes! Mind giving us a hand?"

"Eh?" Tenko raised a brow, "Appoplexian?"

"She's related to my species through her mother," Razorclaw informed, "I'm helping her understand that part of her heritage."

"...and you need me to spar with her?" Tenko asked.

"Yes," Razorclaw replied, "I'm trying to push her genetics to come out at full force. I'd suggest Kuon, but he's too strong and knocks her out with one punch."

"It was a knee jerk reaction to a sudden attack…" Kuon muttered, "More and more things have made me fight for real since attending this place."

"I will admit this place is…really chaotic most days," Zaruba quietly admitted.

"So…you thought of me?" Tenko asked.

"Well you don't have superhuman strength enough to beat her in one hit do you?" Razorclaw asked.

"I am not superhuman." Kuon complained, "I am as normal as they come genetically. But I will admit my life is weird as hell."

"She didn't ask for your opinion, degenerate male," Tenko snorted at Kuon.

"Oi, oi, oi…How am I a degenerate?" Kuon asked.

"Well for one, look at how you're dressed," Tenko retorted, making Kuon look at his clothes, "They just scream 'I am hunting for girls here with my perverted senses'."

"Hey woah, Tenko…" Akane spoke as she rushed over and whispered, "Trust me…you don't want to mess with Kuon."

"Hah?! Why not?! He's a filthy degenerate male!" Tenko argued, "I mean he's probably got something to gag us with for later!"

"Tenko, I really think.." Kaito began as he managed to get out of the net.

"Stuff it, pervert!" Tenko snapped, "In fact, why don't you go hang with the rest of the degenerate males here at the school? Leave us girls alone so we can practice in peace!"

"I said no such thing…" Razorclaw sweatdropped to herself.

"Tenko seriously, you really don't…" Akane began.

"Ahh! He's got a skull ring!" Tenko gasped once she noticed Kuon's ring, "He must be one of those super degenerate perverts that likes seeing girls in occult situations!"

"Hah…" Kuon sighed as he raised his hand and slowly cracked his knuckles single handedly, "Would it be insulting to knock her out with an open handed strike?"

"Knock me out?" Tenko repeated, unaware of Akane and Kaito slowly stepping away, "Hah! As if you can knock me out! In fact…I'll humble you..." she paused as she took an aikido stance, "I'll let you try to hit me..but you will never get past my Neo Akido!"

"...alright. Bet."

"Oh no…" Razorclaw sighed as the others cringed as they heard a loud smack and Tenko was sent flying and into a wall.

"So…I think open hand strikes hurt more, but do less damage overall because you're spreading out the point of impact…so…wanna see what a punch will do? Fair warning, I consider myself a feminist and will hit all people equally," Kuon spoke, "I'll even do you a solid…and not use the ring hand…I don't want to dent it. It's pure silver, ya know."

"Bleaugh…" Tenko groaned, her ribbons spinning in tandem with her swirling eyes as she slowly slid down.

"...Impressive," Razorclaw slowly blinked.

"...We tried to warn her," Akane sighed.

"Girl doesn't know when to stop…" Kaito added with a shake of his head.

"Hoo whee…Now that's a big pool," Jubei noted as the group-Kibo included now-stood before a REALLY large indoor pool.

"It's often used to help a few Students with Aquatic-based talents," Jenny explained.

"And to help host any events that involve the pool," Kibo added.

"Ibuki remembers we played Chicken here," Ibuki spoke.

"Yeah…things got out of hand fast," Jenny nodded at the memory.

"Really fast," Sakura and Kyoko sighed in agreement.

"What are you sighing for?" Miu deadpanned, "You and Donut Girl were the last pair to survive."

"And ended up in a Chicken fight with Kuon and Akane," Sakura clarified.

"Yeah, only one of us has the ability to deal with them," Hina argued, "I'm athletic…but I'm not on that level…"

"Alright, you make a good point…" Miu shrugged.

"Hmm?" Mikan blinked as she noticed something, "...Nani?"

"Something wrong?" Kyoko asked before she noticed something at the bottom of the pool, "...ugh…"

"Angie…" Kaede groaned, seeing what looked like multiple colored rocks put together to resemble a setting sun.

"...She's not moving," Miu muttered.

"Huh?" Kibo blinked before his eyes glowed, "?! Ahh!"

"I got it!" Hina shouted, slipping her jacket off as she jumped into the water.

"Mikan, go get a medical kit," Kyoko spoke as Mikan rushed off, "Jenny, Kibo, be on standby in case we need to carry her off."

"Ah…this girl…" Jenny sighed.

"You kids sure are fast at responding to shenanigans." Grandpa Max chuckled.

"They all have experience," Yukizome sighed as Jenny's arms extended out and a cloth emerged from the left arm and connected to the right, forming a stretcher.

"Yonaga-san likes to make art…a lot," Kibo sighed as Hina surfaced, holding an unconscious Angie in her arms, "To the point she forgets everything around her…"

"Probably did it to get close to that Atua god of hers," Miu blurted.

"I…" Kaede began as she raised a finger…only to slowly lower it," …You're not wrong there…"

"Atua?" P'li repeated.

"Some god or whatever of the island she grew up on," Miu stated.

"Oh…well that's not potentially creepy." Jubei muttered.

"Well I mean…just because it has all the flags of being something weird doesn't mean it is," Grandpa Max argued.

"Eh true," Jubei shrugged as Hina put Angie down on the cloth.

"Ibuki?" Kyoko spoke.

"Hai~!" Ibuki beamed as she bolted before Angie, grabbing a pair of Defibrillators from Kibo's chest as she began to rub them together rapidly, "CLEAR!"

*ZAP!*

"Oh~!" Angie gasped as she shot up, her hair frizzing out as she blinked a bit, "Ahh…I was almost close to Atua that time…"

"What is wrong with you!?" several of them complained in unison.

"Hmm?" Angie blinked before she noticed them looking at her, "OH! Hello, everyone! How are you today?"

"How a-YOU DROWNED!" Kaede exclaimed.

"Yes...I was making a new painting for Atua and I needed to think up a new method," Angie smiled, "I couldn't find any paint that would last in the water, so I borrowed the colorful rocks from the art storage."

"Gotta say, I like yer method," Jubei chuckled, "But maybe improve yer holdin' yer breath before ya do this again. Or get some scuba gear."

"Ah…well I had practice in the water at my home island," Angie stated before holding her hands together, "It is to often try and connect with Atua."

"Maybe you should get her head checked still…" Qrow muttered.

"They make me get mine checked twice a week!" P'li smiled.

"We worry about him," Qrow nodded.

"We used to have an Ultimate Neurologist that could've done some good therapy, but he was expelled and arrested for the death of Kamishiro Yuto and…er…um…b-being a part of Ultimate Despair…" Yukizome looked away as most of the students cringed.

"Ah. My apologies," Qrow quickly apologized.

"Nice," P'li whispered behind a forced assuring smile, earning an elbow jab to the tummy and causing him to giggle uncontrollably, "St-stop tha-hahahaha-that!"

"Oh! More visitors from beyond the stars!" Angie gasped before smiling, "A pleasure to meet you!"

'Thank you,' most of them thought in relief of the subject change as Kyoko used the distraction of the giggling P'li and excited Angie to move over to Max and Jubei.

"We've had extra security set up in and around several Plumbers bases and places that people of importance regularly travel to," Magister Tennyson informed softly.

"From the video footage that was barely salvageable from the UnderTokyo branch they provided me, I was able to have Chihiro with Miu and Kazuichi to make a vocal recognition device," Kyoko quietly informed, "When the one called Nu was taken while Ragna the BloodEdge was here, the device matched for the voice of the person who assisted in Enoshima Junko's release. Ragna recognized the voice as a 'Terumi.'"

Jubei kept calm, but inside he tensed up fiercely, "Kid, I know this is important t' y'all…but if'n y'all ever see a feller in a black suit with his eyes closed all th' time and green hair beneath his fedora…don't go near him." he narrowed his sole eye, "Th' guy plays fer keeps if'n ya know what I mean…and someone as strong as me and four others."

"...The Six Heroes."

"Tsubaki or Jin told ya 'bout that, huh?" Jubei asked aloud.

"Makoto, actually," Kyoko replied, "She slipped once and exposed that she was from a possible future. Toko Fukawa is honestly interested in writing a novel about the Six Heroes."

"Yeah, that…was really freaky for a while," Kaede added as she handed Hina a towel.

"But it's still cool," Hina smiled a bit.

"I imagine Tsubaki had words with Makoto after?" Grandpa Max chuckled.

"Oh big time," Hina nodded.

"A lot has been going on, and multiple unknowns have been flying around," Grandpa Max sighed, "Ben and all the other folks with the power to stop these guys tend to be busy with one issue to the greater integrity of the world…or…worlds…" he chuckled sheepishly, "But that's also why I'm here. I think we're gonna need more reliable young people to keep us safe. You kids went through one adventure with Ben once, and you all came out pretty okay. That's the kind of strength I'm looking for."

"...This is a scouting quest, isn't it?" Maki questioned.

"Eh? Scouting?" Kaede, Hina, Ibuki, and Mikan repeated.

"I didn't say nothing!" P'li panicked.

"I won't deny it," Grandpa Max chuckled once more, "I'm sure not all of you are interested in this, but I think if the world is going to keep getting weirder with all our new guests."

"Guilty~" Jubei grinned.

"We could use our own brand of chaotic and crazy to fight back," Grandpa Max finished.

"You want to recruit us?" Kyoko motioned, "For your organization?"

"Well, the Earth Plumbers used to be just paranormal investigators before linking with the space sect fully." Grandpa Max explained, "Earth still has a lot of weird things going on that I don't think we've fully realized. I figure maybe more exceptional Earthlings should keep an eye on it. I don't think my Grandson will be able to handle everything, even with all his talent at fighting off Elder Deities from other dimensions."

"What was that about…?" Hina began.

"The Hero boy fought a Cthulhu…paw to god Max stands by it!" Jubei laughed.

"...Wait…was this when everyone turned into weird people in black suits with a flame motif to the armor that covered them?" Naegi asked.

"...Excuse me?" Max asked.

"Um…Well, I kinda tripped when this big white wave went over everything and my whole family changed into them," Naegi explained.

"...What is with this kid's luck avoidin' th' power of a Cthulu-like bein'?" Jubei asked.

"I got chased around town by what I realized was my little sister…" Naegi added as if reliving the event in his head now.

"Heh…You sure are a one of a kind kid," Grandpa Max chuckled, "You must have a dozen weird adventures like that?"

"Eh…yeah pretty much." Naegi sighed.

"Reminds me of my days as a young goofball in the army," Grandpa Max chuckled, "Who knows, kid, you might just become something great yourself someday." he ruffled Naegi's hair.

"Don't gotta kick ass to be someone great," Jubei added, "But doesn't hurt to have someone who can do the ass kicking for ya~"

"You realize two of the most amazing beings on the planet are praising you, right?" Kyoko noted.

"I think he's left in a state of shock right now," Hajime muttered, noticing Naegi still had a blank stare on his face.

"I think this is the point where somebody slaps him," Grandpa Max joked.

"...Hina?" Kyoko spoke.

"Gomen, Naegi-kun," Hina apologized before she and Kyoko slapped Naegi from both sides.

"Ite! Wh-What happened?" Naegi blinked as he looked around, "I blanked after getting praised by two legendary heroes…"

"Called it," Jubei chuckled.

"Don't worry about it," Grandpa Max chuckled, "You still have a ways to go. You are young afterall."

"Oh…h-hai…" Naegi slowly nodded.

"Still…a chance to join the Plumbers," Kaede whispered before giggling, "I know Kaito would hop onto the chance."

"He's gonna freak out that he's the last to find out," Hina pointed out, an amused smile on her lips.

"Oh totally…" Jenny nodded before giggling at the thought.

"Th' feller who done summons armored folks with his gun?" Jubei questioned.

"Oh! You watched Kamen Rider, Mr. Jubei?" Hina asked.

"...Riiight…Fergot 'bout that…" Jubei muttered to himself.

"She means Momota Kaito, the Ultimate Astronaut," Hajime explained.

"Him?" Max asked in amusement, "Honestly, JAXA sent word to the Plumbers about him when he managed to sneak in and get a perfect score on the exams…as in the ones you need a university degree in order to even take them."

"Huh…So he is talented," Maki muttered, "I thought he was full of it."

"No, that's just how most boys act at that age," Grandpa Max chuckled, "Trust me, I've raised enough to know."

"I'm honestly surprised he hasn't come running to us by now," Kaede admitted.

"Oh!" Ishimaru gasped out suddenly, "That's right…I forgot to mention that he and bro were sleeping in after that spice-off yesterday!"

"Should've seen that coming," Maki deadpanned.

"Spice-Off?" Jubei repeated before chuckling, "Ah, I remember Ragna's first time doin' that…" he let out a laugh, "Boy turned as red as his jacket and even breathed enough fire that a dragon would be jealous!"

"Yeah, eating spicy food until your sick is textbook dumb teenage nonsense," Grandpa Max laughed.

"...I'd argue, but…" Hajime paused, knowing some of his fellow classmates that would…fit that particular statement, "...you're not wrong there, Tennyson-san…"

"I will admit that normal teenage men often make…questionable choices," Kibo added.

"It's all part of growing up. Like failing to ask the pretty girl out," Grandpa Max chuckled, making the two tense at that rather specific point he made.

'I'm trying…' both thought.

"Too easy…" Kyoko muttered, able to easily tell what they were worried about.

"Hmm…Well, if it's a scouting trip you came here for…" Yukizome thought aloud before smiling, "I know just the man to help!"

"Why did I think this would be a good idea. 'Expose the old men and their dark secrets.' 'Take over their role and bring Kibougamine to a brighter future,'" a tall, lean man with pasty white skin, white hair, cerulean eyes, and wearing a formal white business suit with an orange tie with an intricate black design on it muttered, a large stack of paperwork on the right side of his desk that was slowly making its way to the left side as he went through them, "We need more people on this so this can be managed better…"

"Hey, at least things are better now, Kyosuke," Juzo offered, "I mean now you can make this place the school you dreamed of. So…take the good with the bad."

"I don't see you picking up a pen and helping…" Kyosuke argued.

"...Oh no…that's all you," Juzo defended, holding his hands up, "I am pants at paperwork, remember?"

"Yes…so instead you choose to spend your day performing a two man comedy bit with me here…"

"Not much of a closed gate to defend with the open campus mandate you and Jin made," Juzo shrugged before looking at a set of screens showing a live feed of the various ways into the school…and in several of the hallways both above and underground, "Even then…There's those monsters that have been showing up."

Kyosuke paused in reaching for the next paper, "Ah…True. The strange creatures that keep appearing on campus and even in the town…All being slain by some unseen force."

"I told you…it has to be that gold guy from the big fight on the campus," Juzo spoke, "He shows up…and suplexes a giant robot…then disappears."

"So why doesn't it appear on camera?"

"...Magic?" Juzo guessed, earning a deadpan look from Kyosuke, "Oh come on. You know that those old men were looking at Tennyson's cousin Gwen for Ultimate Mage before deciding against it. Though why their files for her had 'Denied due to Paradox' on 'em, I have no clue."

"A lot of their files both concerned and confused me. Particularly why they were so eager to accept Tennyson himself. Though thankfully we now know that the watch of his is genetically locked to his family. Though that concerns me of a smaller Tennyson running around the world with that watch in twenty years or so…"

"Oh I've seen him and his girlfriend…it'll be soon," Juzo blurted, "That kid is the type to totally lock up that perfect person."

"Well now I'm more worried…because we can't just not worry about that!" Kyosuke complained.

"Yeah…like that guy's gonna let anything weird happen. You realize we never saw him actually angry. He got so mad, he looped around to calm and collected. Who does that?"

"Touche, you weirdly are insightful on this," Kyosuke noted, "You really are bored these days if you've begun exercising your brain."

Juzo just chuckled at that before Kyosuke's phone began to play a peppy tune, "...Pfft…"

Kyosuke groaned, "Chisa…" he answered it, "You messed with my phone again?"

=Maybe~ But not important right now!=

"I think this is rather important…" Kyosuke sighed.

=Just shut up and listen! I have Ben Tennyson's grandfather here, and he wants to talk about recruiting our students into his Space Peacekeeping organization! And I gave him your name to help consult him on how to begin the process!=

"Now?" Kyosuke blinked, "As in right now? Right this instant?"

"Oh…there's that work/stress related twitch…" Juzo muttered, "Good thing your hair's already white~"

"Urusei," Kyosuke hissed to him before speaking into the phone, "And how do you propose I get…" he began before Groundbridge opened up near him, "..."

"Hi~" she waved as Grandpa Max and Jubei walked through the portal with her.

"Sorry for the sudden arrival," Grandpa Max and Jubei bowed.

"But we wanna get this started as soon as possible." Jubei added.

"...Is that a cat with two tails, two swords, and an eyepatch?" Juzo blinked.

"That's what shocks you!?" Kyosuke gawked.

"Ah I'm used to it, don't worry none," Jubei waved off, "Hell, I kinda miss people overreacting to it. Aliens are so open minded."

"See? It's valid," Juzo argued as he turned back to Kyosuke.

"I didn't want to seem rude since most of Magister Tennyson's Plumber agents escorting him are also animal-themed," Yukizome smiled, "Whom…we seem to have lost track of…"

"Oh don't worry. I might be old, but I can still take care of myself," Grandpa Max chuckled, "Plus if anything's too much for me, it's not close to enough for Jubei here."

"Pretty decent kids here," Jubei noted before seeing the paperwork, "Yeesh. I know many a fella back in Bellwood that can feel fer ya on that stuff. Even swearin' t' them Celestialsapiens dat it multiplies if ya look away."

"I told you I wasn't crazy," Kyosuke turned to both his friends.

"I'm sorry to drop in on you so suddenly," Grandpa Max laughed as he walked over, "But with things being what they have, to the point even my grandson has been preoccupied with the very fate of the greater fabric of reality…"

"Wait, what?" the three adults blinked.

"Multiversal travel and combat, nothing too big," Jubei waved off.

"...I figure I need to plan for whatever big events happen in the future," Max sighed as he began organizing all of Kyosuke's paperwork while talking, "As old as I am, I've come to appreciate what the younger generation can do, and will do when they grow up some. Frankly, I have seen nothing but amazing kids at your alma mater, some of whom I think have potential that could really help the world. I know of course just recruiting them all into a Space Police force would be outlandish. But we do need more than just fighters who can punch out giant space cephalopods."

"Yeah, we leave that to the Tennyson clan. It's their thing," Jubei chuckled.

"We need investigators, explorers, and people who just want to help out," Grandpa Max continued, "Human Agents are so rare these days, and I think it's time more of us lent a hand to keep the wider world safe."

"You…want to recruit Ultimate Talents?"

"Hmm…well, I guess they don't need to just be these Ultimates." Grandpa Max muttered, "I mean, I was a pretty normal kid at their age. But I just wanted to help some strange visitors and before I knew it, I was traveling the cosmos and fighting a giant octopus man."

"I wasn't kidding," Jubei chuckled, "Heck, it's how you met your wife, wasn't it?"

"Oh that's just a silly little space romance story. Almost every Plumber has one," Grandpa Max laughed while scratching the back of his head.

"I heard ya have several~" Jubei teased.

"Seriously?" Juzo asked, raising a brow in surprise.

"Though I can't blame him…heh. Reminds me of my old flame Konoe," Jubei admitted with a chuckle," Ahh…man, was she a spit fire of a lady…"

"The older generation have such fascinating stories." Yukizome smiled.

"So…you want us to help with getting more humans to potentially join?" Kyosuke asked, as he blinked and noticed all his paperwork was organized in such a way it was more effective to complete.

"Of one's own volition of course." Grandpa Max spoke up, "I know how cautious all of you must feel after what happened and all the skills they tried to abuse for their own means. Not to mention the whole debacle with that Junko girl."

"To be clear, she is on the list of problems we have to worry about." Jubei added, "We have reason to believe a real bad customer freed her. Why and what fer…well ain't that the million dollar question. Or would Yen be more fitting…I prefer to think in Tayden personally."

"I don't see much wrong with it," Juzo pointed out, "This is Tennyson's Jiichan afterall. He is responsible for making him the scary strong Hero of Earth he is."

"Oh, Ben still has some growing to do," Grandpa Max chuckled, "But his talent is impressive nonetheless."

"He saved the multiverse~" Jubei smiled, clearly figuring out that telling them about such a thing was freaking them out.

"Seems your boy's got a lot of catching up to do," Grandpa Max noted.

"...Huh…Yer right," Jubei admitted, rubbing a sleeve under his chin in thought, "Oh, Ragna ain't gonna be likin' what I'm plannin' fer him later."

"These old guys scream 'they dump you in dangerous terrain and expect you to survive'…" Juzo whispered.

"That may just be why Tennyson can fight so many scary monsters and laugh about it." Yukizome whispered back.

"I suppose it takes real grit to be the kind of Plumber who fights evil…" Kyosuke muttered.

"Even still, they are so used to our normal brand of chaos…I think a lot of students would fit in really well," Yukizome noted, "He actually finds our normal day to day life rather calm and relaxing."

"What kind of nonsense does this man witness on a day to day?" Juzo asked at that.

"His Grandson has the power to shapeshift into aliens, and his Granddaughter uses actual magic…" Kyosuke pointed out.

"Don't ferget the wife who is a magical alien…made of magic," Jubei chuckled.

"Should you really talk?" Grandpa Max argued with his own chuckle.

"See? It's like they'd haven't even left Kibougamine when they graduate," Yukizome giggled, "Plus, there's also the fact that several students in our school have actually assisted the repair efforts for UnderTokyo."

"Really?" Grandpa Max asked.

"Oh yes. Even a few of the faculty that were former Ultimates in construction-related talents assisted," Yukizome smiled, "I think the headmaster has the email he was given from the mayor of UnderTokyo thanking him and the school for our assistance printed out and framed."

"Well how about that?" Jubei chuckled, "Guess something good came of that. That should make our checking up on them easier."

"Heck, maybe we can use that Plumber base as a training ground for recruits," Grandpa Max smiled, "On the clock Plumbers protecting and training them. I can even force Ben to be an instructor once he returns."

"T-Tennyson…returning?" Kyosuke blinked.

"Oh don't worry, I'll send you the shortcuts we made for Ben-related work," Grandpa Max spoke up.

"By the way the shortcut for Ben-related property Damage is Control F-U," Jubei chuckled.

"S-Seriously?" Yukizome barely held back a laugh as Kyosuke raised a brow, not getting why Yukizome was trying not to laugh and why the cat was chuckling.

"A few folks in our IT department are fans of this one online show," Grandpa Max explained.

"It's a classic even in my old time," Jubei grinned.

"So…how much property damage does he cause?" Juzo couldn't help but ask.

"...Let's put it like this: Ben likes to be big brawny Aliens with power," Grandpa Max explained, "And his preferred weapon…is cars that he uses as explosive warhammers…I think he goes for the bigger and expensive ones on purpose when mad…"

"Let's just say that explosions, collapsing buildings, a poor…poor grocery store…all of that is normal for the kid," Jubei muttered, "But, hey, at least he beats his enemies without doubt it's his power that did it."

"...Maybe it's a good thing he was just an exchange student," Kyosuke spoke slowly as it dawned on him how destructive Ben really was. At least to public and private property.

"We have instilled in him a punishment when he goes overboard though: he has to clean up the mess by himself," Grandpa Max noted, "Especially with us learning of a neat trick his form folks here know as 'Echo-Echo' can pull off."

"Did he ever put that spare back in his closet?" Jubei asked.

"No, I think he forgot to make a backup again," Grandpa Max replied.

"Spare?" Kyosuke repeated.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Okay, movin' on," Jubei clapped his cloth-covered paws together while subtly taking a glance at the screens, 'Hm? What was that?'

"Well Magister Tennyson-it is Magister, correct?-, your offer is indeed amazing. I can't deny I'm not concerned; but meeting you, I am sure you are the most honest man to ever come to us with an idea such as this," Kyosuke spoke, "I'm sure some students will be happy to accept this chance to join your organization as well. And I'm certain working together will help us expand out and recruit more students from around Earth."

"Or heck maybe one day out to space," Jubei joked.

"Heaven knows at least one of our students wants that," Yukizome noted in amusement.

"Might give us the good rep we need to make up for all those dirty exposed secrets," Juzo added, "Think of it like getting the stamp of approval from Earth's Family of Heroes."

"Plus we do have a lot of Combat talents that…we don't know what to do with post graduation…" Yukizome chuckled sheepishly.

"You mean the Ultimate Street Fighter boy?" Kyosuke asked.

"I mean he does a better job at security and discipline than any of us," she pointed out, "But what can we do…just let him back onto the streets so he can fight wild animals as they are the only thing that match his strength?"

"...That's from the camping trip no one wants to talk about, isn't it?" Kyosuke asked.

"I can neither confirm nor deny how he got that bear skin cape…" Yukizome replied in a neutral tone.

"I'll need to talk about this with the Headmaster," Kyosuke noted, "We'll likely have a plan of sorts to present to you by the first day of next week."

"Don't rush it, but thanks for hearing this old Plumber out," Grandpa Max laughed, "Truth be told, I needed something to help distract me. My Grandson is out and about picking fights with what is borderline an evil god…again…"

"Not an exaggeration…" Jubei nodded simply to make them believe that.

"The cosmos are amazing…" the three former Ultimates all muttered in awe at this perception shattering revelation, let alone how casual it seemed for this to happen to the legendary Ben 10.

"Well, we best get moving on then," Grandpa Max noted.

"Ah, you go on ahead there, Maxy," Jubei spoke, "Was a place back in 2098 here in Tokyo that I'm hopin' is still here in Japan. Had th' best sushi by far."

"Just please don't put it on the expenses this time," Grandpa Max deadpanned.

"Hey, it was jest th' one time," Jubei assured.

"Alright, and try not to pull to many jokes on locals. You know what you happen to look like." Grandpa Max laughed, "I'll pick up the rest of the team, hopefully they are doing okay."

"Catch that runaway Panda!" Kuon shouted as P'li was rolling uncontrollably downhill.

"I'm sorry!" Akane shouted, jumping over things in her path.

"I'm okay! I don't feel a thing!" P'li called out only to ram into a car and bounce into the air, "I kinda felt that!-!-!"

"Why is he so bouncy!?" Kuon shouted, "He's like a Super Ball!"

"I think it's because of his species!" Akane shouted back

"How do we stop him!?" Kuon asked, "Oh! Oh! He's coming down…do we catch him?" he panicked and swung his hand and swatted P'li once he was in range and sent him flying back up the street, "Oh crapbaskets! I panicked!"

"Ahh…" further up the street, Nagito sighed as he stood before a gacha machine, "Guess my luck's bad at the moment. Lost my last few yen in the sewer grate again." a rising scream made him blink a few times before P'li slammed into the gachapon, causing it to spark and drop all its prizes out into a pile on the panda alien, "...And there it goes back to good luck. Or is it still bad since that's a panda under there?"

"No…you stopped me in time…" P'li groaned from underneath the pile.

"Oh thank kami almighty…" Kuon sighed as they caught up with them, "I'm sorry about that smack, big guy…I panicked."

"I'm good-oh! I've been looking for this one!" P'li exclaimed from beneath the pile, "Take that, KiddieInfinity90210! I got the last one before ya!"

Razorclaw facepalmed, "P'li…"

"I didn't think he could fly that far after a punch," Akane spoke up, "I thought you said he just absorbs hits like a beanbag chair."

"I did…but you somehow ended up hitting him so hard, the resulting shockwave sent both him and you flying back from each other."

"So okay…that's…good?" Akane asked.

"Well I imagine it's something she needs to try to make happen," Kuon offered, earning a nod from Razorclaw.

"Um…So who are these folks?" Nagito asked, looking at the two and gesturing to Razorclaw as she pulled P'li out with ease with one hand, the panda alien squeeing over one of the gacha prizes that came out.

"Uh…escorts for Ben's Grandpa," Akane muttered, "But they kinda just all scattered and did their own thing with us."

"They're Space cops," Kuon added.

"Ahh…soka," Komaeda noted, "It's rather interesting to meet new folks. I'm honestly curious if there are Ultimates out in space."

"Huh? Oh, yeah. There's, like, five of 'em," P'li replied.

"Hm?" Komaeda looked at P'li in surprise.

"Well, there were six of 'em, but, uh…Khyber the Huntsman kinda…hunted him," P'li noted, "All that was left were his back shell and helmet from what the reports said."

"Ahh…he must've left all his hope in his allies then," Komaeda noted with a smile, "Even in a desperate moment of despair, an Ultimate will help bring a shining beacon of Hope to their comrades!"

"...Uh…Yeah…Suuure…." P'li nodded, smiling widely, before leaning a bit to Razorclaw and whispering while still keeping his smile, "Bǐngqián (Crackers)..."

Razorclaw rolled her eyes before Kuon flicked Komaeda's forehead.

"Did you skip your medication again?" Kuon demanded.

"No…" Komaeda replied, "They sorta…fell into the toilet when the bolts on my medicine cabinet snapped and a bottle of ibuprofen landed on the handle and flushed them."

"..." Kuon said nothing as he poked several spots on Komaeda's body, making said body lock up…and fall over, "It is for the best this way."

"How'd you do that?" P'li asked.

"..." Kuon tapped P'li's head, making his face lock into a very goofy expression before falling over, "Huh…Guess that was a different pressure point…"

"No...This has happened before with Ma'antis," Razorclaw muttered, "...He hit the wrong facial nerve."

"Ano sa…" Kuon nodded, "Gonna have to ask that guy about it later."

"Well, I just hope the others had a good time…" Razorclaw muttered.

"AHH!" Dasheng and Ma'antis screamed as they bolted into the pile, "We were never here!"

"So what about the bird?" Kuon couldn't help but tempt fate.

"Oh, Qrow stayed to look after that Angie girl," P'li replied once he started to get feeling in his face again, "Found her unconscious underwater…something about getting close to her Atua god while making some underwater art."

"We need to fix those locks…" Kuon sighed, "Well aside from the two hiding, and the other girl whom I'm sure isn't going insane from the weirder people."

"Well there's also Tsumugi, but.." Akane paused as she scratched her head, "Nobody has seen her since that whole stupid despair bear incident."

"That seems like a story I still haven't gotten the full details on…just that if I ever spot some weird woman…lay her out before she can say anything," Kuon pointed out.

"Given what I have read. Yes, that seems like the wisest option, mostly from you…given I frankly have lost track of your swings today," Razorclaw spoke.

"And we're sure he's human?" Ma'antis asked.

"I have had my DNA tested to appease people…yes I'm human," Kuon groaned.

"Excuse Gonta!" Gonta called as he ran over, "Have you seen a small subspecies of the Insectoid race come by riding on the shoulder of an Arachnachimp?"

"You're aware of the names of certain alien species?"

"Ah. Gonta does," Gonta nodded, "Gonta learned from parents in mountains in northern Japan."

"And your parents were…"

"Mama is a Vaxasaurian and Papa is a Kinecelerean," Gonta replied, causing P'li and Razorclaw to blink a few times.

"Oh! You're like me and my pops then!" P'li beamed as Razorclaw gestured to Gonta while raising a brow at Kuon.

"He's the Ultimate Entomologist, a person who studies insects," Kuon explained.

"Wait. He doesn't eat them and monkeys?" Dasheng asked, peeking out of the pile with Ma'antis on his head.

"Eat? No, no, no! Gonta would never! Insects are Gonta's friends!" Gonta assured, "Gonta hoped to meet Insectiods or their subspecies that developed after they achieved intergalactic travel along with Arachnachimps because they remind Gonta of insect friends from Earth."

"Where did…short guy, black hair, likes wearing a white suit and a purple cape?" Kuon asked in a deadpan.

"Eeyup," Ma'antis replied in the same tone.

"Ultimate Liar?" Dasheng asked in the deadpan tone.

"No. Ultimate Supreme Leader."

"...You got any issue with me giving a little payback?" Dasheng asked, "Nothing too horrible, mind you."

"Oh no. Go ahead. The Kami above know I've been dealing with him and one other idiot that like pulling these tricks," Kuon replied.

"It's not gonna be too hard, is it?" Akane asked.

"Oh no, no, no. Not at all," Dasheng chuckled, "Before I was a Plumber…I was a master prankster. You don't prank me without expecting comeuppance."

"Hey look man, we normally like to give him karma. You act as the agent of Karma today, and do what you deem fair." Kuon offered, "As far as I see it…I can take a day off."

"Perfect," Dasheng grinned, rubbing his four hands together with a gleeful, devious grin.

"Yeah…I'm gonna avoid that. I know how you get," Ma'antis stated, jumping off Dasheng's shoulder and onto Gonta's, "Eh, sorry 'bout the runnin', man. Got told the wrong intel."

"It is ok. Gonta know Kokichi is chronic liar."

"Chances are he should never be allowed near aliens. Or into any form of important space police stuff," Kuon sighed as Dashenge deployed a line of webbing from his tail and swung off with an excited laugh.

"Eh, we'll make a note of that," P'li assured before his stomach went off, "Oh! Uh…Any chance we could check out the cafeteria?"

"Hell yeah! I'm starving!" Akane agreed, "Teruteru's cooking, here I come!"

"Ugh…Forgob I'b allerbic to cattails…" Vipress mumbled, a tissue over her stuffy nose.

"Easy now," Hina assured, she and Sakura leading her into the cafeteria, "Luckily, Teruteru knows a good recipe to deal with clearing the sinuses."

"Senpai, a Sinus Solvent," Sakura called out.

"Hai-hai-hai~!" Teruteru cheered from the kitchen, moving quickly to cook several different meals all at once while grabbing ingredients for it, "What's the cause?"

"Allergy to cattails," Hina replied as they sat the serpent Plumber at a table, "And our usual, please!"

"Hai~! Donuts and protein shakes!"

"Thank you!" Hina smiled.

"Oi Teru! Order up!" Kuon called out as they all entered, "You know the regular, and give me your best dish of the day, hold the weird."

"Got it, Kuon!"

"Oh-hoh-ho-oh~!" P'li awed, walking over to the counter, looking over it into the kitchen, "This is so awesome~! I've only seen some of the stuff in here on Internet and the ExtraNet!"

"I think I heard of that…some kind of space internet?" Akane asked.

"So is there Space Netflix? Space Hulu?" Kuon joked.

"Eh, too pricey which sucks because I can't watch the Ben 10 live action series," P'li complained before gasping, "OMC! A Molecular Gastronomy foam generator?!"

"Did…he just say Live action series?" Kuon asked Akane.

"So that's why he doesn't work a normal job…" she shrugged.

"He has a live action series?" Hina gawked, "Oh, I have got to see that."

"Oh don't get him started…" Razorclaw muttered before blinking and gawking, seeing P'li now assisting Teruteru in the kitchen, "What the…?!"

"Ah! This is magnificent! Thank you, my large new acquaintance!" Teruteru thanked, "The rush is always the biggest hurdle!"

"Eh, don't I know it. Grew up in an intergalactic noodle shop," P'li replied, stirring one pot while whisking away something in a pan before Teruteru swapped the two with new pans and his stick and whisk replaced with chopsticks to grab and stir the contents within the pans.

"Mmm…I'm kinda jealous," Akane noted, watching the two cook as drool began to drip from her mouth, "Growing up in a place with all kinds of foods…"

"Don't you be tryin' to be snackin' on the food before it's done now, ya hear?!" Teruteru barked in his cajun accent.

"Can we at least get bread while we wait?" Kuon joked, "Might just be the only thing stopping her from using her new Appoplexian powers and barging in to steal whatever meat dish you got sizzling back there."

"Hey," Razorclaw frowned.

"No offense."

"...Nothing taken yet," the Apopplexian female replied before clattering made everyone look down to see baskets with baked circular bread in them.

"You're welcome!" P'li declared from the kitchen as Naegi entered the cafeteria.

"Ah, good! There you are!" Teruteru noted upon spotting Naegi and quickly put a large bundle on the counter, "Your order's been ready for two minutes now!"

"Ahh. Thank you," Naegi smiled as he took the bag, about to walk off before bumping into Ibuki, "GH!"

"Whatcha got there?" Ibuki questioned.

"...N-Nothing. Just something to eat," Naegi replied.

"That's actually a lot just for you, Naegi," Hina noted as she and the girls, along with Kuon, looked on.

"Come to think of it…that's a lot of heavy food…" Kuon noted, "You're not the biggest eater I know of, man. What…you got a date tonight?"

"Ah, he didn't tell you?" Teruteru asked, rotating a large chunk of meat on a bone over an open grill, P'li assisting with a light brushing of sauce on it, "Boy's trying to buff himself up with lots of food to exercise on."

"I noticed quite a bit of it is protein-heavy and good for someone doing a heavy duty workout," P'li admitted, "You're pretty amazing."

"Why thank you~!" Teruteru swooned, "Huh…You know, I have been interested in learning some of the cuisine from beyond the stars."

"I know a ton of dishes perfect for humans to safely eat!" P'li beamed as the two devolved into chatting about dishes while cooking.

"Hmm…" Kuon looked at Naegi, "Bulking up, huh?" he poked his arm roughly.

"Ow!"

"Oh you are hiding something alright," Kuon crossed his arms.

"Ooh~ Share the deets~" Ibuki beamed as she got close to Naegi, "Who're ya trying to impress…is it Hina-chan?"

"?!" Hina nearly choked on her bread at that as Sakura quickly patted her back, "I-Ibuki!"

"Oh! Or is it Kyoko-chan?!"

"?!" Kyoko nearly choked a bit on her water at that, "Ack ack Ibuki…!"

"Ooh! Maybe it's Sayaka-chan!"

"I am so glad she's not here to hear that due to a concert in Hokkaido…" Hajime muttered.

"Or…" Ibuki paused as she got up into his face, "Maybe it's a fourth mystery girl you have your eyes on~"

"Eh? N-No…I…With all the stuff going on, I-I just think it'd be best to be a bit stronger, ya know? Not end up in the nurse's office so often…" Naegi sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, "Like last Saturday…"

"Sorry again," Sakura apologized with a bow.

"It's sound logic, it really is. But…just because it's logical…doesn't make it factual," Kuon pointed out, "Key of which…I know your tell, thanks to poker night."

"You have Poker night?" Kyoko blinked.

"Poker night is also guys night," Kuon stated quickly.

"Ah! No fair~!" Ibuki called as she jumped Kuon, "Ibuki wants ta join!"

"Hell no!" Teruteru barked as he and P'li worked, "Y'all done come along and you'll drag in all them gals, especially Madam Ludenberg and her crazy card skills! We's barely able to handle the luck from our two Ultimate Lucky Students here!"

"Mmmph?!" Kuon muffled out from behind Ibuki's shirt-covered stomach blocking his sight.

"Oh come on, Ibuki!" Hina groaned, "Off him right now!"

"But he's making Ibuki so tall!" Ibuki whined, Naegi using the commotion to leave.

"Smart boy…" Zaruba whispered.

"Is this normal?" Razorclaw asked.

"No…normally someone gets hit by now," Akane replied.

"I see…" Razorclaw deadpanned, "May as well lend a…" she took a step ahead before a rope trap went off, "RROWR!?"

"...See? She is good at hunting," Akane noted.

"..." Razorclaw's eye twitched.

"Uh-oh…" P'li gulped before pulling out a rope, tying it up into a lasso, and quickly threw it and pulled in Vipress, Kyoko, and Hina into the kitchen before slamming the shutters down, all while giving the snake Plumber a noodle dish, Kyoko a salad, and Hina her donuts and protein shake while seating them at an unused part of the kitchen.

"What the…?!" Hina began before a loud roar went off.

"LEMME TELL YA SOMETHIN', ROPE KEEPING ME HELD UP! YOU'RE KEEPING ME HELD UPSIDE DOWN!"

"What a lovely kitchen you have here," Hina complimented, ignoring the screams outside.

"Indeed," Vipress agreed, shivering a bit from both the taste of her meal…and from the sounds of war going outside.

"EVERYONE STOP SHOUTING!" Kuon's voice shouted as louder bangs filled the air.

"NO F-!" Ishimaru's voice began before a smack went off.

"And down goes captain eyebrows...!" Miu's voice muttered loudly.

"Yeah, I know when Razorclaw hits her limit and you do not want to be out there," P'li spoke with a shudder.

"Here's to our brave folks out there surviving an angry tiger woman, an eager Akane, and Kuon himself," Teruteru declared, a glass in hand filled with a nice grape juice before downing it.

"Hoo boy…That was way too close…" Naegi muttered, arriving at his dorm room, "I almost got caught…"

"Is everything ok?"

"GH?!" Naegi tensed as he turned...and saw Mukuro sitting on his bed as she finished polishing a piece of a disassembled sniper rifle, "Oh phew…Mukuro-san, you startled me."

"Ah…Gomen," Mukuro apologized as she reassembled the gun and put it in its case, "...It surprises me you had my arsenal."

"W-Well, I couldn't let it get lost," Naegi replied, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head as he put the bag on the small dining table, "You told me how important they were during our third month here." he grimaced as he recalled what happened after she had finished telling him about it, "..."

"I've checked the entrances she knows of and the ones I'm unsure of before returning here," Mukuro noted, "None of the traps were set off." she looked down, "..."

"Hey, none of those bad thoughts," Naegi spoke, walking over to her and sitting beside her on the bed, "You're trying to catch her so she can't cause anything bad, even if it means you add on to your own sentence when you do catch her."

"She's my responsibility," Mukuro stated, "Whatever she does is on my shoulders because I couldn't get past the guilt and manipulations. Tennyson-san and his friends in Bellwood can handle themselves if she appears there, but here…"

"I get it," Naegi spoke with a nod, 'This is just my luck, huh? Go to a nice summer camp to help out for some extra credit, come back for the next semester…and then my luck hits and I end up throwing a knife at the ceiling and causing a part to break and Mukuro-san ends up falling on my bed from her lookout spot for Junko in the crawlspace between floors…and I can't tell anyone because she's considered an escaped convict and dangerous threat…'

"...You didn't have to do it, you know," Mukuro spoke, earning Naegi's attention, "Give me a place to stay…hide me here when you know I'm a wanted felon…"

"Well…when I stopped to think about it, you just gave in after Ben won," Naegi pointed out, "Part of you did those things out of loyalty to your sister. But a part of you also really hated it. 'Cause you realized it was wrong. If you were bad, you would have come for revenge. Instead…you look like you were protecting us, making sure Ju-your sister never showed up again."

"..." Mukuro nodded at that, unsure of what to say.

"So…I decided to take a shot and trust you," Naegi explained further, "I figure with my luck…you probably are doing good and I messed up your secret protector bit."

"It…It's fine," Mukuro assured, "I should be the one apologizing for the issues that hiding me is causing."

"I think I'm running my normal excuse thin…Kyoko will figure something out eventually. And Kuon is already suspicious of me. So either way…one of them will be at that door one day. And one of them will knock…and let themselves in by force," he chuckled sheepishly, "I'm honestly shocked Kuon never found you…he uses those secret tunnels a lot."

"It is…difficult," Mukuro admitted, "His senses are…inhuman at times. He's one of the few I don't worry about encountering her."

"He's scary strong." Naegi nodded, "I'm sure he'll be a big help if…IF she ever shows up again," he stressed the potential, "And so far I think we got lucky today. Ben's Grandfather is here, with a team of his best as escorts. If they haven't found you, I think we're…"

At that, a knock was heard at the door.

"Ahh man…" Naegi sighed as Mukuro tensed, "Ah…In there." he pointed to the bathroom.

Mukuro nodded, quickly entering it, as Naegi got up and walked to the door. He looked through the peephole…and saw no one. He blinked a few times in confusion when another knock went off. He blinked a few times, realizing the knocks were coming from lower, where someone like a kid around four would knock at. He opened it and looked down.

"Yo~" Jubei greeted, waving a sleeve-covered paw up.

"J-Jubei-san?" Naegi blinked a few times.

"Hope ya don't mind me wanderin' 'bout here. Smelled some really good monkfish dobu-jiru curry and it led me here," Jubei explained.

"Ah! Y-Yeah…I ordered it from Teruteru-senpai," Naegi replied before blinking and yelping when the cat was gone, "Huh?!"

"Mmm~! Ah, ya can't just make this commercially. 'Specially since monkfish went extinct thanks to th' Black Beast," Jubei noted, sitting on the table with the bag open and a half-eaten bowl before the talking twin-tailed cat, "Always heartwarmin' t' eat since it reminds me of th' fishin' town my brother and I were born in."

"Brother?" Naegi repeated.

"Ah. A younger brother," Jubei replied, "Their name was Tomonori. Folks may have thought of him as pretty standoffish…but he was actually just really really shy." he paused in his eating, "We…often never say eye t' eye on things. I placed a lot of life on followin' yer duty while he…he was pretty much a free spirit, helpin' folks out and th' like. He even went as far as takin' our clan's treasure, the Hihiirokane, in order to try to save folks."

"I…I see…" Naegi noted, "Um…"

"He died a long time ago," Jubei admitted, a paw reaching up to his eyepatch, "All I've got is a reminder of him on me and my memories of the times we spent wit' one another."

"Oh! I…I'm…"

"Don't be. Older siblings are supposed ta watch out fer their lil' sibs," Jubei noted, "At least…'till they're old enough ta be on their own and are comin' in t' their own persons…whether it be good or bad."

"I…a-are…are you talking to me?" Naegi asked as his wording felt rather specific.

"Depends," Jubei replied, taking another bite…before looking over at the bathroom, "What do ya think, Mukuro?"

"?!" Naegi tensed as, slowly, Mukuro came out, "H-How did…?"

"Eh, you're good at yer stealth, but my eye's a lot sharper than any human's. Don't worry. Swiped th' feed I caught ya on," Jubei shrugged.

"Feed? There are cameras!?" Naegi gawked.

"Ya thought there wouldn't be?" Jubei asked.

"I knew of them. There are small hidden cameras all over the school…I…had not found all of them yet…" Mukuro admitted.

"Pretty impressive how many ya've found so far," Jubei complimented, "Especially wit' them new ones added and th' ones moved about from their original spots."

"I'm still shocked we are being watched…" Naegi muttered.

"The Event with my Sister, Alien Global Invasion, and the near nightly demon attacks…" Mukuro listed, "Also…most of your friends' nonsense…"

"Touche…" Naegi conceded before grimacing, "..."

"Oh don't be worryin'," Jubei chuckled, "I ain't sayin' nothin' t' anyone."

"Y-You're not?" Naegi asked in surprise, Mukuro looking up at the two-tailed cat with a perplexed look.

"Course not. Obvious t' me this here gal is tryin' t' look out fer y'all here in this school," Jubei noted, "Course…it's also obvious she done pulled a runner from her cell dat day, too."

"...I couldn't see much because of how far apart they kept us," Mukuro spoke, "But…I remember looking through the slot in my cell door and seeing a…a monster hiding in the skin of a man wearing a black suit and fedora walk by before the screams soon followed. When the explosion happened and the quakes that followed, the security lock shut off. By the time I went to check on things, there were only the bodies of the deceased, a traumatized Plumber that I knocked out to grant her a bit of mercy to recover, and my sister gone."

"Hoo…I'll be honest…Yer sister's done been taken in by exactly what ya called 'im: a monster," Jubei spoke, "One dat aligns exactly wit' her interests."

"Despair," Naegi grimaced, earning a nod from Jubei.

"His name…is Terumi, Yuki Terumi," Jubei explained, "He's hurt a lot o' folks over the hundred or so years he's been 'round…" his paw went up to his eyepatch again, a somber look forming on his face, "...myself included."

"There is one more thing I should tell you," Mukuro spoke, "I could only faintly hear it…but something else broke in…chasing after him."

"Hmm?" Jubei blinked at that.

"I could hear him…he felt spooked by whatever he sensed. It was then something else broke in…but I couldn't tell what or who it was," she went on, "That is…till I returned here and witnessed one of those demon attacks. It had to be the same being who's been appearing in the dead of night to protect everyone."

"You mean Garo?" Naegi spoke, "The Golden Knight. I think Ragna told us about his showing up during that incident with the Nu girl."

"He defeated her from what I recall hearing," Mukuro added.

"What scary thing has popped up in this world to make Terumi nervous?" Jubei asked in surprise.

"He shows up whenever anything supernatural happens," Naegi explained, "Something…so scary none of us know what to do. He just…appears and fights it."

"I see…" Jubei noted, interest reflecting in his uncovered eye, 'I wonder…heh. May have to come back here again, I suppose.' "Still…a convict that done escaped from jail…dat ain't good at all."

"Ah! J-Jubei-san, please…!" Naegi began before Mukuro caught something thrown at her, "Huh?"

"...Eh?" Mukuro looked at the Plumbers's badge.

"Considerin' I'm pals wit' th' Magister in charge of this here planet, I've got a tiny bit of leeway," Jubei explained, "Youse keep an eye on this place, got it? Think of it like…community service."

"Community Service?" Naegi blinked.

"Truth be told, Maxy has been wondering what to do once he caught ya. Given yer good behavior, we considered lettin' ya work off yer debt to society by workin' fer us. Ya know, putting yer skills t' good use. If youse kids ever get tired of the roommate bit, we can set up a little apartment in town. I'll run it by him and he'll contact you with that. So don't go puttin' it on silent mode like Ragna does. That's why we dump paranormal cases on him these days, hehehe~" Jubei chuckled at the memory of 'haunted' houses they asked Ragna to investigate, which they knew was just a generic Chupacabra infestation.

"You…truly mean it?"

"Of course I do," Jubei nodded, finishing off his pilfered meal, "You think yer th' first ever convict that done got this chance. Nope. One pretty well known one happens ta be a young man named Kevin."

"Levin Kevin?" Mukuro pondered.

"Exactly. Kid got a pretty long rap sheet, but turned it around and is a pretty good guy now. Ben considers him his best pal now when they were originally fierce rivals when they were kids," Jubei replied, "And I'm talkin' the kind of rivals who fought each other to near death…"

"Ben has a habit of that doesn't he?" Naegi asked.

"Oh big time." Jubei nodded.

"So…just like that?" Mukuro spoke, "I…get another chance?"

"Well ya had the chance to do some harm, ya haven't…and you seem like a decent kid." Jubei shrugged, "So let's give it the old college try as they say. Worse comes to worse, we just ask ya to return to a cell with visitation rights for your boyfriend here."

"?!" both blushed at that, causing Jubei to chuckle once more.

"Well, best I get on then," Jubei spoke as he hopped off the table, "I'm leavin' this here place under yer watch. Keep 'em safe…well…as safe as they can be in this place. Fair warnin', don't be goin' near th' cafeteria fer a bit, Naegi."

"Ah…right…chaos…" Naegi muttered.

"Seems enough to make everyone go full on rumble," Jubei noted, "Money is on yer boy Kuon to be th' last lunatic standing."

"Yeah, not making a bet against that," Naegi spoke, a drop of sweat going down the back of his head.

"Smart boy," Jubei nodded before rubbing his chin in thought, "Huh…Smart one and one with a rap sheet…reminds me of Gwen and Kevin, but swap th' genders…"

"Eh?" Naegi blinked before jumping, seeing Jubei gone, "...That is one fast cat."

"Agreed," Mukuro nodded before looking at the badge in her hand, 'Community service…'

"Mmm…" Razorclaw frowned as she stood there…a cone currently wrapped around her neck.

"In our defense…" Kuon began, an ice pack over his swollen eye as Mikan was wrapping some bandages on one of Sakura's arms, "We got…way overboard there."

"Says the one who hurt the most people…" several muttered.

"I still have one free arm…" Kuon argued.

"I can still feel my face," Akane added…despite being held up in a cross, "Also is the cross neccesary?!"

"Yes! You made things worse!" those same several shouted.

"Let's just say mistakes were made, tempers triggered, and nerve damage done." Kuon sighed.

"Agreed," Sakura muttered.

"It was the most violent and destructive thing ever…and it was awesome!" P'li smiled.

"I traumatized a short boy. It was a good day." Dasheng smiled.

"MY HAIR!" Kokichi's voice cried all the way from his room.

"What was…" Jenny began as she and Kibo walked over.

"Nothing~"

"Fair enough." Jenny shrugged, "So I take it its back to Bellwood base?" she asked.

"For now, Magister will have us rebuild and reestablish the UnderTokyo base and set up shop there to be close to you kids." Ma'antis explained, "You know so if you ever need some hands with badges and space guns, we're just a call and drive away."

"Hopefully it won't come to that," Kyoko sighed.

"Eh you never know these days." Dasheng shrugged.

"With how crazy this place seems to get…a lot of days," Qrow added.

"...again they are not wrong," Kibo muttered with Jenny nodding in agreement.

"Well it at least means this one can keep up her lessons on her alien heritage…god damn is that still weird to say." Kuon muttered while pointing to Akane.

"Agreed…" Zaruba quietly muttered.

"I feel like…I still have lots to learn…which is weird as hell for me to say…" Akane muttered, "Is this maturity?"

"Close..but you're getting there," Kaede noted as she patted her back.

"Dang it…" she frowned.

"Hey…You're not going full Tarzan girl every day now…let's consider that progress for the best." Miu offered.

"..have been feeling a little less rowdy lately," Akane noted, "...I'll take it. Now…." she paused as she took a deep breath, "CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CUT ME DOWN?!"

"Boop." Kuon poked the ropes and she was set free to drop down.

"You didn't say 'gently'." Kaede noted.

"No…no she did not." Razorclaw muttered.

"Mmm…" Akane groaned as she was face first in the ground.

"Well we should be getting back," Ma'antis spoke, "Hopefully we can all meet up again."

"We would also enjoy messing with that naughty boy who made us believe the big one was out to you know…eat us~" Dasheng giggled, "Ah so silly…"

"Oh don't worry. I think Gonta has something special planned for him and Hiyoko," Hina assured.

"...I hate this…" Hiyoko whispered, both she and Kokichi tied up...and literally surrounded by a swarm of insects.

"Why hate? Dasheng told Gonta that you two would like to make friends with bugs," Gonta stated, completely unphased as a few bugs crawled all over him.

"That monkey is on my list…right next to Kuon." Kokichi frowned, his head covered by a large baseball cap.

"Oh right Kuon said, introduce you to special friends!" Gonta cheered as he held up his hands as each one held what is commonly known as Ogre Spiders…as they just stared at the two almost menacingly with their big eyes.

"...Mmmm~" Hiyoko began to whimper in pure fear.

"Wh-what are those?" Kokichi slowly asked.

"Oh these? They are Ogre Spiders…they like to stare all day," Gonta smiled innocently.

"That smile makes me think otherwise!" Kokichi exclaimed.

"Oh? I think they want to say hi."

"NO HO~!" Hiyoko screamed.

"DAMN YOU KUON!" Kokichi cried out.

"DAMN YOU~!" the two pranksters shouted.

"We'll try not to make you visit for danger." Kuon sighed.

"But the key word is try. Things get out of hand sometimes." Kyoko added, "Even with natural deterrents…"

"Oh come on the camping trip is not their jurisdiction." Kuon rolled his eyes.

"We'll trussst you won't caussse more trouble." Vipress chuckled.

"You seem to have a system worked out." Ma'antis chuckled.

"But if you ever want to hang out and train again, we're cool with that!" P'li cheered.

"We should be going though, this planet's geographical time zones tends to be an issue for portal travel." Razorclaw spoke up.

"Wha?" Akane asked.

"Portal Jetlag…" Kuon translated.

"Oh…gotcha."

At that the Groundbridge opened and they all began walking in as they could see Grandpa Max waiting on the other side with a smile.

"I take it things went well here?" the elderly Tennyson questioned.

"Yup!" Jubei replied, making the Hope Heart crew tenses in surprise to suddenly see him standing next to Grandpa Max, "P'li and his crew took care of things ok."

'That is one fast feline!' Many of them thought in shock.

"We will meet again kids, and next time, I'll see which of you has what it takes to get some real lessons~" Grandpa Max laughed, "So take care till then!" he waved.

"Wait what?" most blinked as the portal began closing.

"Wait! Wait!" Kaito shouted as he rushed towards them, "Wait! Tennyson-jiisan!" he slid to a stop just as the portal closed, "AH! My chance!" he cried falling to his knees.

"...slept in due to that stupid spicy challenge from yesterday?" Maki guessed.

"Hai…" Kaito groaned as he hung his head.

"Well don't worry he'll be back." she sighed, "You'll get your chance, believe me, but don't feel bad if he also recruits people who hit hard to keep you alive."

"I very much welcome that honestly," he chuckled sheepishly, "Ah…still stinks I missed him. It's one thing making new alien companions…but he was a fellow Earthling who made the dream of reaching the stars happen."

"Ah…so you were hoping to…" Kibo began.

"Hai~"

"...ugh," Maki sighed before she reached behind her back, pulling out a folded up piece of paper and held it out to him, "Here…he wanted me to give you this before he left for his meeting with Juzo-san's friend."

"Eh?" Kaito blinked as he took the paper, "For me?"

"He already knows about you. After the stunt you pulled, JAXA sent him your personal record. He's had his eyes on you too. Why? I don't understand…but I think you impressed him." Maki sighed, "So…just take it and wait till next time."

"?!" Kaito's eyes widened at that, "...f-for real?"

"Yes…now st-" Maki began before she was suddenly glomped into a hug, "!?"

"This makes up for missing him! Thanks, Maki-Roll!" Kaito beamed in laughter, completely unaware of Maki blushing from how close he was holding her.

"Aw…ain't that sweet. She does care." Kuon chuckled.

"Ooh~ Ibuki has never seen Maki so flustered," Ibuki giggled.

"?! G-get off…!" Maki hissed as she tried to force Kaito off.

"Okay okay you two, you can canoodle in private." Kyoko sighed, "We still have some cleaning up left to do."

"Don't we have an Ultimate Janitor who can do all this?" Kuon groaned while they began walking off.

"We do…he oddly comes out only at night though," Kaede replied.

"Oh come on you mean he's literally the Night guy?" Kuon complained.

"Cry about it to someone who cares." Kyoko responded.

"Which clearly is none of these women." Zaruba chuckled.

"Oi oi…" Kuon deadpanned before he heard Kaito coughing, "Eh? You okay man?"

"Ack heh…yeah I'm fine," Kaito assured as he rubbed his mouth, "Just choked on a bit of saliva is all."

"Y-you sure? That cough was more violent than l-" Mikan began before Kaito made a quick 'Quiet~!' motion to her, "...n-nevermind."

"Mikan?" Jenny blinked.

"Private intel between patient and nurse," Mikan said as she began to walk further ahead.

"...okay…" Jenny whispered as she and the others resumed walking, Kuon keeping a close eye on Kaito…and noted a bit of dried up blood on part of his sleeve.

"...Hmm…" Kuon raised his hand to look at Zaruba.

"Bleeding hearts often suffer the most…" the demon ring spoke, "I don't think there is a magical fix in my library of esoteric wisdom for stubbornness and pride. I guess the best call here…is reciprocate friendship…and help."

"...yeah. Good idea…" Kuon whispered.

Z0: Well that's finally finished! We probably could have finished this a day sooner but sleep schedules and etc folks.

SZ: *snores while resting on top of a Shiny Cetitan* Hope..you enjoyed….

Z0: Like GT says, Read and Review folks. Or the demon in the basement will come after your kneecaps.

Vice: *pops out of the floor* I'm the demon!

Shiny Cetitan: Ce..*uses tail to force Vice back into the floor*

Vice: Oh come on this isn't even a story with Pokemon! *gets squished back down*