"S-s-so… Status report?" Towa asked timidly, approaching Ibuki tentatively. For a moment, it seemed as if Ibuki hadn't heard her, eyes glued to the wall of monitors before her as she hunched over a massive control panel. There were buttons, dials, knobs, switches, keys, and sliders so numerous and complex that it would've made the most advanced DJ setup look like child's play.

"No," Ibuki finally replied, voice tight, and Towa flinched. She gazed at Ibuki sadly. The poor girl was doing it again, pushing herself too hard, blaming herself out of a misguided sense of leadership. Then again, she was the Ultimate (Team) Captain, acquiring the title of her unit's Ultimate Hope through her hand in creating the Future Foundation, their current location. Its name was even inspired by the unit's futuristic style. As one of their lyrics said, "We only see the future, and see the new world. We're always ahead of time, no one can catch up!"

Now Ibuki was doing it again, going back to her days as the Ultimate (Track and Field) Runner. No one was going to catch up, except her, hopefully. She was trying to find the other half of their unit. Saki and Noa were missing.

"Never mind, I should be out there myself, out in the field, looking for them." That's a TRUE leader would do.

"W-wait! Ibuki! No! You can't!" Towa reached out to her, heart racing a million miles an hour as her stomach churned and roiled.

"Towa, they've been gone for a week and the latest intel placed them right in the heart of Towa City!" Ibuki gestured to the monitors.

A bloodred sky with black-gray clouds smothered a burning, dying city. People and machines littered the roads, blood and spare parts all over. Some of the machines were crashed cars, and the like, but others were robot bears and cats, Monokumas and Monochios, built by the city owners themselves, the Towa Conglomerate. (Yes, talking about the Conglomerate, or the city for that matter, was difficult when the Photon Maiden of the same name was present, so the FF had since taken to calling her Hanamaki in meetings about Towa City and the Conglomerate).

Other monitors displayed other parts of Towa City, cameras placed on various FF missions. One displayed Saori and Komaru, younger sister of one of their underclassmen, battling Monokumas and Monochios with sonic-weapon megaphones. On another, Nagisa and Aoi were doing the same with an electric guitar and a portable set of DJ turntables. And on another monitor still, Dalia and Rika were fighting back-to-back, flames surging from Rika's palm and incinerating anything that came too close. Dalia, meanwhile, covered Rika's blind spots, her martial arts just as strong as Rika's fire, even if the range was smaller. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Towa City was huge, so of course, the FF knew it would never be able to place cameras everywhere. In fact, at that very moment, Lyrilily (or at least, three of them) were creeping through the shattered streets. They were unrecognizable behind bloody, smiling clown masks. With them were seven boys, the supreme leader standing beside Kurumi. They were on their way to meet another ragtag band of misfits: the Warriors of Hope.

Kurumi and Miiko had worked with them in the past until they were highjacked by Monaca Towa, but a few of them were still friendly enough to grant the other group of gangsters safe travel through their territory. DICE was on a mission to rescue their favorite, misguided Chairman.

Peaky and Hapiara were back at Hope's Peak with the Call of Artemis, trying to maintain a grip on the rapidly dissipating rest of the academy.

In the middle school division, Hayate and Kokoa made their way to Towa City, hoping for resources to help them survive the Tragedy. Towa City was a warzone, but it meant there was plenty to be looted if the looters were brave and clever enough. Along the way, they met a seemingly non-Talented middle schooler named Michiru Kaibara, and they found the fourth and final member of their team during a raid, breaking into what used to be the most secure and secret facility in all of the city. In fact, only a handful of the Towa family knew it was there.

At least, that was how it used to be. But a day before Michiru, Hayate and Kokoa would stumble upon the facility, someone else got to it first, a glowing, white, spectral figure that vanished as suddenly and mysterious as it had arrived. Inside that facility, an Ultimate Hope AI was being developed, Lumina Ichihoshi, with the power to hack into and exist within just about any electronic device or monitor in existence. No matter who they were, every girl of every unit played her part to combat Despair.

"So maybe that's what this is!" Towa suggested hopefully. "Maybe Mr. Tengan sent Saki and Noa on a mission and just forgot to—"

"No, he wouldn't do that," Ibuki interrupted sharply. Aside from Photon Maiden, Kazuo Tengan was the strongest member of the FF. There was no way someone of that much power and intellect would forget to mention that he sent two of the top soldiers into an active warzone overseas.

"But you can't just leave!" Towa cried. I can't be the only Photon Maiden here!

"I already have temporary replacements in mind." Ibuki's eyes were laser-focused as she strode past Towa. "Abyssmare." They were an American quartet, also early members of the FF, but for wildly different reasons. The FF was supposed to be an American Hope's Peak, and Abyssmare was to be some of the first students. Then the Tragedy happened. Abyssmare stuck around, both for protection and power, and because as Ultimates, they were useful to the cause whether it was something they signed up for or not.

"—well that's a fuckin' lie!" Ibuki and Towa entered Abyssmare's "private" office just in time to hear Weronika and Elsie arguing again.

"You know not of which you speak!" Elsie shrieked, fists clenched and eyes flashing. "Elsie has connections the likes of which you've never even heard of before! We have little helpers all over the world!" She touched the side of her mouth with a haughty smile.

"Oh, please, we all know you should've been in the Reserve Course!" Weronika scowled. That really got a rise out of Elsie. All four of them were Ultimates, or else they wouldn't have been inside the FF at all, but the stories behind their Talents were far from uniform.

Neo was a child prodigy, Ultimate Vocalist with the potential to be an Ultimate Leader if she wasn't so selfish. Sophia, meanwhile, was the type of girl one would've expected to be a non-Ultimate, and yet, her inhumanly, uncannily perceptive empathy made it clear. Elsie was the opposite, a girl who seemed to ooze Talent, but she made it in by the skin of her teeth. Even though she would snarl and snap at Weronika for accusing her of it, she would gladly brag about how much her family was capable of through money, power, and sheer intimidation. The title she settled upon was the Ultimate Sponsor, inspired by her father.

That left Weronika. Like Sophia, she didn't seem very "Ultimate", but her determination marked her just as much as Sophia's unnatural perception and senses (her "wolf senses") marked her. The only difference, Weronika didn't have some kind of lame-ass Talent like "empathy". She was a badass, motherfucking boxer! A fighter! A brawler! In the streets or in venues, her knuckles were always dusted and ready to turn red. Behind her back, Elsie would call her the Ultimate Competitor, and it was not the compliment it appeared to be.

"You're damn right I'm an Ultimate Competitor!" Weronika poked her puffed out chest with her thumb. "I challenge any foolish enough to think they can withstand a Bear Paw Bash!" She cracked her knuckles, referring to the glove she occasionally wore to special events.

Elsie thought it looked stupid. You are the Ultimate Competitor because you never win. Of course, Elsie didn't expect a simpleminded simpleton like Weronika to catch the subtle nuance that made her compliment an insult.

Honestly, she's not even SUSPICIOUS that it might secretly be an insult. Elsie could only shake her head. It truly was an insult to think that someone like Weronika was considered Talented while Elsie had to work for hers.

When Ibuki and Towa walked in on the arguing, their eyes twitched, but after taking a quick breath in, Ibuki straightened her posture and glowered.

"That's enough." Her voice was quiet, but it was so stern and sharp that it actually got the other four to listen to her. Somewhat.

"But she—!" Elsie and Weronika pointed at one another while Sophia was on her hands and knees beside them, bowing an apology to their bosses.

Only Neo remained unmoved, but the corners of her lips did twitch up by three centimeters. Sophia took note.

She's… happy? Envy flickered in Sophia's eyes as they flicked from Neo back to Ibuki.

"I said, enough!" Ibuki repeated, more forceful. Both Elsie and Weronika looked seconds away from challenging her to a fight, but to the surprise of the entire room, it was Neo who raised a hand and rose slowly from the chair in which she'd been reclining.

"So, little Ultimate Leader, what commands do you come bearing today?" Neo smirked, sauntering over to Ibuki until their chests were almost touching. While Neo's arms were crossed in dark amusement, Ibuki's were in stalwart conviction.

Towa could only stand behind her and shake her head, eye twitching. She can't be serious… She's not actually leaving the FF in the hands of… them! Towa shivered. Maybe I SHOULD stay behind and lead…

But as the conversation went on, Ibuki's motivations became clear.

"My command is for you four to shape up—"

"Oh, fuck off!"

"—and be prepared to lead the FF in my absence."

"WHAT?!" Three of four of Abyssmare cried out, but Neo raised an eyebrow and that was even more dramatic for her than shouting was for the other three. Ibuki, meanwhile, smiled to herself.

Works every time. Drop a bombshell, and they shut up.

Meanwhile, behind her, Towa's expression had become admiring. Such is the power of the Ultimate Captain!

But would it be enough? Especially since, as Ibuki just told them all, she was leaving posthaste.

"You're turning the FF over to us?" Neo asked and Ibuki nodded grimly.

"It's not a decision I make lightly, and I regret that I am unable to be here longer to make sure that it's not too much…"

"PFFT! Bitch, please, it's not too much!" Weronika cackled and scoffed. Elsie crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at Weronika.

Ibuki, meanwhile, winced. "Weronika, if you wish to be part of the official committee, you must learn how to refine your language!"

"Pfft, what?!" Weronika sat up a little straighter, but with Ibuki's threat hanging in the air, there wasn't much she could do to challenge it. If Ibuki decided, she could absolutely make three of Abyssmare powerful and leave Weronika in the dust. She was sure the shame would kill her before even the most dangerous mission overseas to Towa City. Weronika crossed her arms with a scowl, but was out of rebuttals. Elsie looked pleased by this.

"How long will you be away?" Neo asked. Unlike the others, she was more interested in the details of Ibuki's plan, and the logistics that would apply to Abyssmare because of it. She had no interest in leading, or fighting. She had no interest in the FF, or Hope, or Despair. All she cared about was being the Best, the Ultimate Ultimate, so if Ibuki was challenging her to rise to the occasion and be a worthy successor, then Neo already considered it done. That was why Ibuki wanted Abyssmare in charge.

Did she like them? Not particularly. Did she trust them? Even less. But did she know what they were capable of, both as humans and Ultimates? Yes. And did she have to admit that it was impressive? Also yes. And with Neo in particular, Ibuki could sense the leader quality within her. She was not a benevolent type, to put the needs of her "people" before her own, but even her biggest enemies could not deny the power of persuasion that she held. She was charismatic and influential and her literal siren song from her Talent could charm anyone.

From one leader to another, you better take good care of the FF while I'm gone. Ibuki locked eyes with Neo as they shook hands.

Do not worry, little league Team Captain, I will ensure that everything is perfection, for I am perfection, so with me at the head, if the FF follows me and only me, I will lead us onto salvation, and victory! She squeezed Ibuki's hand with more force than normal, eyes glittering as she clenched her teeth in something Ibuki assumed was supposed to be a smile.

Ibuki was already beginning to question her decision, but it was too late to back out now. All she could do was hope and pray.

"I will leave tonight," she decided. "When everyone else is asleep. I will leave you a list of instructions on what to do in my absence."

"Understood."

Once the conversation was over, Towa heaved a sigh of relief as soon as they were away from Abyssmare.

I swear, they've become even MORE insufferable!

Beside her, Ibuki made the same noise, and Towa looked at her in surprise.

"You don't think I found that just as draining as you did?" Ibuki teased with a weak, tired, bitter smile.

"Fair enough," Towa chuckled embarrassedly, scratching her jaw. A moment later, though, she became solemn again. "So… will you go alone?"

Ibuki's stomach and expression tightened. She honestly hadn't thought about it… She took a deep breath before looking into Towa's eyes.

"I… won't ask you to come with me, because I have no idea what we'll find once we get back to the others, but…"

"Of course I want to come with you!" Towa sighed, nearly crying out in relief. Even though a tiny part of her was still insisting that she needed to stay behind and look after Abyssmare and Kazuo, a larger part of her didn't want to be left alone.

It wasn't just Ibuki either, it was wondering where Saki and Noa were. Or if they were even still alive. It was an unpleasant thought, but one Towa knew she'd spend the rest of forever thinking about if she didn't go with Ibuki.

"We stick together, right?" Towa offered Ibuki a weak smile, and her fist. "That's why you're going after the other two."

"True," Ibuki's bitter smile turned grateful as she fist-bumped Towa. Towa gasped and beamed, earning another laugh and a small eyeroll from Ibuki. But she opened her fist and now extended a hand to Towa. It wasn't time to leave, but it was time to pack.

Towa squeezed Ibuki's hand and neither of them needed anymore words to understand. Instead, they exchanged smiles as they walked through the long, tiled corridors until they at last reached their own private office.

Don't worry, Saki, Noa, we're coming for you! One day, this office is gonna be just like Abyssmare's. Even down to Towa and Noa's bickering and bantering almost exactly like Weronika and Elsie's (save that Weronika by far had the dirtiest mouth).

While Towa packed, Ibuki briefly checked her phone.

Ibuki Niijima. This is Nozomi Kamukura. There is something within Towa City that I believe the Future Foundation will find most intriguing.

Wait, how do you know about the Future Foundation?! And just who are you anyway? I don't know any Nozomis or Kamukuras!

But no matter what Ibuki texted, the unknown caller never texted again. Ibuki sighed in frustration as she looked out the nearest window, imagining Towa City just beyond her line of sight. If any of them wanted answers, it seemed as if they would have to fly right into the storm.