Ed, Morita, Imamura, and Rolf were currently outside, moving several objects. Normally, it'd be a simple job but the weather was rather gloomy today, making it a challenge even for a labor-born boy like Rolf.

"My Zombie Senses are tingling, guys," Ed said as he put down one of the objects he was moving.

"What makes you say that?" Morita asked.

"In my movies, every time it rains in a zombie movie, something bad is about to happen to the survivors."

"I don't think I watched any movies where the rain made the zombies more powerful," Imamura noted.

"It means that some kind of high conflict is about to happen."

Morita and Imamura were confused, especially by how serious Ed sounded with those words. Rolf came over with a stink eye toward the three.

"Must Rolf do everything here? Get back to work or you shall not get your supper, nincompoops."

"Don't have a cow, man..." Morita grumbled as the boys continued their current job.

Meanwhile, Ed and Double-D are with Takashi, Kohta, Saya, Ben, Nikolai, and Tank. The group was inside a large tent with several other survivors. Many of them were still thinking that the whole situation would blow over and they'd return to their normal lives. Double-D was trying to break it to them gently while Saya was more aggressive in the approach.

"Ugh, these people...so stupid." Nikolai grumbled, standing on the side while drinking some vodka.

"People I know that it's hard to fight the ones you used to see every day, but it's the only way to protect yourself," Double-D argued.

"So you want us to kill our own family?!" One of the survivors snapped. "It sounds more like you're being Souchiro's population control!"

"How many times do I have to say it? Killing pandemic? It's complete bullshit." Saya snapped as she placed her hands on her hips and stood firm beside Double-D. "It's just a government excuse for failing to figure out why dead bodies have been attacking people."

"Are you saying you believe all these people are actually dead?!" One man yelled in disbelief. "Don't be ridiculous. It has to be some kind of disease or infection."

"Have any of you asshats watched the movies or played the games?" Tank asked in frustration. "These are real-life zombies, people! And we got evidence from these kids that the fuckmunchers at Umbrella are the ones who started this shit!"

"Umbrella's a pharmaceutical company, right?" Another man chimed in. "So this has to be a virus, right? Can't we just make a cure for it?"

"Yeah, like you can just cure a person once they've turned." Eddy scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"We all have to focus on surviving, that's all. Try not to get eaten." Saya said. "I can't believe this mob incompetence. Did you not listen to a word my father said?"

"I see. That's the point you really want to make, isn't it? I was wondering why high school kids were flashing guns like they were cops." The woman who was the apparent leader of this group sneered. "But after all, that's what you're after. You're just saying you're going to protect us. You people are really out here trying to control us with violence. Violence! How dare you when there are so many people suffering across the globe!"

"What the fuck does global suffering have to do with anything?" Tank had to ask.

"Just you listen to ME, everyone! The one who's telling us to be murderers, no, who are forcing us to be murderers is that man's daughter who says yes to killing!"

"I'm sorry, but what the hell are you talking about lady?" Takashi interjected.

"Shut it, kid! Stay out of the adult business!" A man in the crowd snapped.

"Fuck you, asshole!" Takashi yelled back as Kohta and Eddy prepared for trouble. "We have just as much say as you do in this bullshit."

"Kid's right, losers," Tank said, speaking in Takashi's defense. "Seems you dickbrains need a history lesson. Anyone willing to start?"

Ben stepped forward first. "I'll be perfectly frank with all of you; Violence is the way the world works, even in a civilized world which this zombie-filled nightmare is not. The words of politicians always carry the threat of their nation's military and police behind them, always. The underlying threat of violence is what keeps civilized discussions, civil. To think otherwise is foolish."

"Right now, the military of Japan is fighting for the survival of the country from an unprecedented threat. You dick suckers add nothing to solving this crisis, so the government gives you some cock and bull story to chew on while they figure out a solution." Tank continued. "YOU are the kids in this equation so, like good little children, you should shut your fucking mouths and stay out of the way while the REAL grown-ups handle this."

"Mr. Takagi has been generous enough to take in all of you for your protection against whatever disease is killing people out there," Double-D added. "And your first instinct is to take everything from them and try to put yourself in charge? Honestly, I have never been more ashamed!"

"They're absolutely right, you know." Saya voiced her agreement. "You should all know that it's by my father's will that things here are as calm and as safe as they are. His leadership keeps the lights on, the walls standing, the food hot and the water clean. You are all guests in our home, but hospitality has its limits. Reflect on that."

The group left the tent and the stunned survivors behind as Saya sighed in frustration, pinching her forehead.

"Goddamn, that woman was like a frickin' Nazi back there."

"Heh, would have loved to plug her like a Kraut..." Tank chuckled darkly.

"Eh, we made 'em crap their little diapers, Dempsey," Nikolai assured. "Let's accept that for right now."

"They're unable to process the truth, I'm afraid..." Double-D sighed. "Ignorance can be deadly, especially in these troubled times."

"You said it, Sockhead." Eddy agreed, patting his friend on the back.

Kyoko was with Shota watching Arisu and Zeke playing around by the fountain. A smile formed on the former's face as she watched them. To her, it was a miracle to see that kind of innocence in the world right now.

"Look at her, acting like nothing has changed in this world." Shota smiled. "My little girl is stronger than people give her credit for."

"Do you know what happened to her mother?" Kyoko asked.

Shota frowned and the teacher picked up on that, an apologetic look crossing her face.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"Some men came into our house. I don't know what they were saying, but they said that all who had evidence needed to be eliminated. My wife tried to placate them, she always was such a benevolent soul...but they gunned her down without a shred of remorse."

Kyoko gasped but Shota had to continue his story, a haunted look in his eyes.

"I was barely able to get out of there with my little girl. I don't even know what I had against those men. They looked like they belonged to a private mercenary group. I'm not a big-shot reporter, but they seemed to view me as a threat...and then Arisu and I ran into those zombies next."

Kyoko put a reassuring hand over Shota's. She had no words to say but he appreciated the kind gesture as they continued to watch Arisu and Zeke play together.

Half an hour later, the Fujimi Crew met back up together. Takashi had met with Souchiro and expressed his intent to go out and search for his mom and Rei's parents. It was a solid plan; use a small group and the bus to run to the houses using the east police station as a base of operations and haul everyone back to the manor to join the refugees or continue to search for survivors as time and space permitted.

Matthew suggested adding more vehicles and bringing Shizuka along to drive the bus, some people might need medical help and a single bus would be a tempting target for the gangs still kicking around in the city.

The group was refining the search plan when Ben suddenly got a codec from his father.

"ALCATRAZ! COME IN, ALCATRAZ!"

Ben felt his heart skip a beat; the urgency in his father's voice clearly told him that something really, REALLY bad was about to happen.

"What is it?"

"CODE BLACK! CODE BLACK!"

Ben froze, he knew exactly what that meant. Tank and Nikolai, having heard it along with everyone else, also paled in shock.

"ETA?"

"Ten to thirty mikes."

"Understood. Will attempt to reconnect in forty. Alcatraz going dark."

"Good luck son."

"You too Dad...and tell Mom I said the same for her."

"Ben...?" Double-D asked worriedly.

"Saya! Where is your father right now!?"

"In his main conference room, why?"

Ben didn't answer her and instead turned on his heel and sprinted down the hall, Tank and Nikolai right behind him. The Eds looked at each other before quickly following. None of them let up until they had reached the conference room and only paused so Ben could kick the door in.

"What is the meaning of this?" Souchiro asked gruffly, annoyed at such an abrupt intrusion.

"There is a nuclear missile headed towards Japan."

The Eds' eyes all widened in shock as the room went as silent as a grave. If Souchiro was horrified by this, he didn't show it, keeping a professional look on his face.

"You had best explain. Quickly."

"Seconds ago, I received an emergency codex from my dad. Code Black. Meaning everyone who has nukes is launching them. Russia, China, the US, North Korea, Iran, EVERYBODY. I know that the US will attempt to employ every asset at their disposal to neutralize as many as they can, but we should take shelter just in case."

"High altitude or ground detonation?" came a voice from behind. Saya stalked forward with most of the Fujimi Crew in tow.

"We don't know. The only thing we can do is hope for the best and prepare for the worst." Tank said grimly.

"How much time do we have?" Matthew asked.

"Ten to thirty minutes."

Saya and Double-D's brains were clearly going into overdrive by the subtle showings of their expressions. After a quick moment, they sprung into action.

"Shut down the power plants, it might help save the network. Use EMP protection systems if they have them. Unplug everything that runs on electricity and pull the motherboards out of computers or cover them with metal mesh. Get the word out to every city you can reach to sound the warning sirens and take emergency measures." Saya said.

"The basement should be safe for the refugees and some of our equipment should also be safe down there. Cover the house generators with chain-link metal fencing or something to act as a Faraday cage." Double-D added. "Pull the batteries from all cell phones and unhook all the vehicle batteries we can get our hands on."

It wasn't perfect, but their suggestions just might save a bunch of the modern conveniences everyone depended on, and the refugees would be safer in the basement than in the tents.

"You heard them! MOVE!" Souchiro ordered his men, who quickly scrambled to follow the orders given.

"Put the estate in lockdown!"

"All entrances are to be shut and locked."

"Contact all scout groups and tell them to return or dig in where they are!"

Souchiro turned to his daughter. "I'm impressed, Saya. You kept calm and issued instructions without hesitation. I am proud."

"Daddy…" Saya couldn't help the smile crossing her face.

"Hey, Sockhead helped too!" Eddy said, slinging an arm around Double-D, who smiled thankfully as Yuuki hugged his other side, giving her boyfriend a kiss on the cheek.

"We need to move, people! Every second counts!" Tank said, clapping his hands as everyone got to work.

The refugees were understandably terrified when they heard about the incoming nuke but seemed grateful when they were ushered to the manor basement which was built as a bomb shelter so it was perfect for the situation. However, it was clear there wasn't going to be enough room for everyone. The Takagi's men were scrambling all over the grounds moving vehicles and carrying chain-link fencing to various places. All in all, it looked like a kicked hornet's nest.

Bodies were moving in every direction and orders were being barked out rapidly. The Fujimi Crew threw themselves into whatever job they could; carrying small children to the shelter, helping the guys in the garage to try and save the cars, and hammering a long steel spike into the ground as one of Soichiro's men unrolled a stretch of copper wire between them and where others were covering the house generators with fencing.

Eventually, all the refugees were safe and even the Takagi's men were running for the basement. Unfortunately, the basement was packed full and there were still people outside. The Eds, Rolf, Takashi, Saya, and Ben were grabbing as many men as they could and told them to shelter under desks or tables or to hide in a center room away from windows. Fifteen minutes had passed since Ben's father's codex and still they hadn't seen or felt a blast.

"I'm going outside. Everyone stay here." Ben said as he walked out to the front door.

"Why on earth are you doing that?!" Double-D asked.

"I'm going outside to watch for the blast. If it's a HANE I'll come back and report it."

"HANE?" Ed asked.

"High-Altitude Nuclear Explosion." Hisashi explained.

Ben stood on the veranda in front of the manor, and he scanned the horizon keeping an eye on nearby buildings to watch for a super bright reflection from any blast that could occur behind the manor.

"If you see a sudden bright light, remember to avert your eyes quickly." A familiar voice spoke as Ben turned to see Saeko. "I doubt that suit of yours has sunglasses in the visor."

Ben chuckled as his Disciplinary Vice-President stood beside him. As they waited, their hands gently grasped each other as Saeko leaned in closer to Ben. He was currently clad in his nanosuit and it felt surprisingly warm.

"If this really is the end...I just want you to know that I've always loved you."

"I had a feeling...we did kinda click together back at Fujimi. Guess all those gossipers talking about us secretly dating were right all along."

Suddenly, a bright light flared in the south. Ben and Saeko quickly hid behind a brick wall, counting five seconds before peeking out.

In the sky over where Tokyo stood, they could see the receding light of the blast that occurred in high atmosphere. Looks like whoever fired that one wanted to disable the largest city rather than end lives. The best guess was either North Korea or China shot it.

"We'll give it about ten minutes just in case another one is-"

Ben suddenly locked up, his body going into convulsions as electricity flowed across his nanosuit. Whatever was going on had to be extremely painful for him as Saeko gasped, quickly catching him as he almost fell over.

"EMP Blast Detected. Suit Failure. Engaging Safety Mode."

"BEN!"

"Mr. X needs time to recover." Wesker said as his men had recovered the damaged assassin and placed him in a respiration pod. "But those who pose a threat to us are all in the Takagi Estate. They are waiting out the storm caused by the HANE."

"Who do you want us to send then, sir?" One of the Umbrella soldiers asked.

Wesker smirked as he turned to the pod next to Mr. X, the pod containing his even deadlier sibling.

"Send out...THE NEMESIS."

Inside his pod, the one known as 'Nemesis' one eye opened up, revealing a glaring milky white optic as its lipless mouth bared in a snarl. He had his orders and he would see them through.

All threats to Umbrella, all who knew the truth of their actions and the cause of the outbreak...would be eliminated.

Happy 25th Anniversary, Ed, Edd n Eddy! You helped bring a lot of laughs to this turn of the century! You three are legends!