(A new distortion is coming and the plans that have been formed by our heroes have arrived, let us see where they will lead)

Bold = English Conversations

Bold + Italics = Japanese Conversations

Distortion 37

In the cold hours of the early morning of the 7th Hierarchical City of Kazomotsu, a scene was beginning to form in one of it's various plazas. While normally there would be nobody here in said plaza, most still asleep in their beds, three people waited on a park bench, with bated breath as they could feel a hidden tension in the air. These three people of course, were Sora, Amy and Bullet, waiting her for the person that Sora had managed to contact to arrive.

"So… you confident that this person you called will show up?" Bullet questioned as Sora nodded his head hearing that. "I can tell you this, hearing the sound of someone knowing you're in Sector Seven inside a Sector Seven base will definitely get the attention of the higher ups to intervene." Sora said as Bullet looked at him, wanting to say something but decided against it as it was not going to be worth the ambiguity that Sora was giving her at that moment.

"In any case… are you sure we shouldn't have eaten breakfast before meeting? Or you know...meet at breakfast?" Amy questioned as Sora scratched his head. "It's not a good idea to eat breakfast right now… at least not for today if my hunch is going to be right about how things are going to occur." Sora said as Amy couldn't help but feel a shiver crawl down on her back as she didn't know how to respond to such a statement with dread or questioning him about his life choices.

"In any case, you two are ready for what is going to come?" Sora questioned as he looked at the two women in front of him, wanting to be sure they were ready for what was to come. "Yes, I am very ready for what is to come." Bullet said as she said it with a straight voice that was clear she was ready for anything. "M-Me too…" Amy said in a voice that did not suggest that she was ready that immediately gave Sora cause for concern as he scratched the back of his head at such a statement coming at such a crucial time.

"Can you at least try to inspire some confidence in me?" Sora said, Amy able to feel his worry coming out of his voice as Bullet nodded her head at that. "Look, the plan sounds solid on paper but I cannot believe that we are going to be doing what we are going to be doing, I just cannot help but feel like I am the only one who has to have doubts." Amy said as Bullet looked at Amy for a bit before looking at Sora once again.

"I know you have your doubts about this plan but trust me when I say this, it will get us results. The only question is that if the results are positive or not." Sora said as Bullet nodded her head at that. "I can agree with that assessment. In any case, we should focus on keeping our eyes open for our target. Less talking and more focusing on the task ahead of us." Bullet explained as Sora nodded his head at that.

"I cannot believe you two are this set on the plan… but it looks like I have no choice but to play along I guess." Amy said as Sora nodded his head at that before his eyes caught something that was interesting to him that made him stand up. As soon as he did, Bullet and Amy were about to do the same thing but Sora raised his hand to stop them as his eyes focused a bit more on what he saw before approaching towards the source of his current attention.

The thing that had grabbed Sora's attention was a group of people that seemed to be on a jog. He didn't say a word or try to greet them as he walked towards a public faucet and turned it on to feign drinking water. As the joggers walked right past him, he spat out the water, something that confused Bullet as she was curious as to why Sora would do such a thing in the first place. Sora himself could taste the near alcoholic properties that lingered on his tongue that the tea he had last night did not bring. This is probably one of the few things that are still unexplained even to the gods.

As he approached back to the bench however, he was quick to point out the hunch he had about the people that had just jogged right past them. "Try to look natural you two, I think we are already being watched." Sora said in a low tone. This was enough to get Bullet into a more serious look while Amy simply tried to look forward, as if she was unaware of what Sora had just told her. "Do you think it's Sector Seven or a couple of party crashers?" Bullet questioned as Sora looked around at his surroundings and quickly gauged the situation.

"Whoever they are, we might as well just be prepared. Could be Sector Seven trying to get the jump on us. Could be a couple of Vigilantes ready to collect my bounty. Could even be the NOL who heard I was here and are getting their units ready to apprehend me. Whatever the case is, we got to be prepared for what is to come." the words that came out of Sora's mouth were both important to heed and also crucial for the plan ahead as Bullet and Amy simply remained quiet, not even daring to nod their heads at what Sora had just said in case there was people around them listening in, ready to jump them at any moment.

"In any case, it's the appointed time. So why don't we get started." Sora said as his eyes drifted towards a person that he could immediately recognize from just one glance. It was as if it was yesterday he just saw this person… well this original version of the person he came to know as Caroline Patricia Smith. She was hunched in the back a little as she wore glasses as with lenses big enough to hide her entire eyes. Her blond hair was a mess nest, not combed in a presentable fashion and she wore nothing but a lab coat, a buttoned up shirt and slacks and loafers.

"Are you Caroline Patricia Smith?" Sora questioned, saying it outright as the woman known as Caroline tensed up in front of him, She looked like a proper deer with headlights, unsure of what she should do at that very moment as her nerves were all over the place. "W-W-Who are you...A-And how did you know my phone number?" Caroline questioned as Sora couldn't help but feel a sense of mental backlash as the image of Caroline in his mind was different from the Caroline in front of him.

He couldn't help but feel like he was looking at a completely different person as he took a deep breath. "My name is Sora Minakaze and my boss wished to come in contact with Sector Seven." Sora said as Caroline stuttered a little bit, surprised with Sora's simple and straight answer to her question. "And as for you phone number, I did some digging and found it." Sora said as it was vague enough to hint that he had managed to find her phone number but also straight enough to know that Sora had managed to find a way to contact her.

"R-Regardless… here I am… Just...here… by my lonesome." Caroline stuttered as Sora was quick to tell that Caroline was obviously not by herself and so could Amy and Bullet but they decided rather than exposing they know, they would keep quiet about it as Sora nodded his head. "Firstly. As promised, you have gotten us a way to contact Sector Seven directly?" Sora questioned as Caroline's eyes lit up hearing that as she began to rummage through the bag she carried behind her back.

"I- My boss asked me to give this to you. To allow you to contact her." Caroline said as she passed him what looked to be an earpiece for Sora to wear as he then looked at the briefcase she also carried alongside her bag as Sora had a familiar feeling come over him when he saw it. "And I also brought along the thing your boss asked to bring as well." Caroline said as Sora took the briefcase into his hand as Caroline fidgeted a bit, waiting for Sora to place the earpiece on his ear.

Sora took a deep breath, taking the hint and placed the earpiece on his ear, waiting for what was to come. Sora waited for a little bit longer as he noticed Caroline's gaze going towards his stump of an arm. "You interested in my missing arm?" Sora questioned as he raised his arm towards Caroline, causing her to be surprised. "N-N-No… I just...couldn't help but stare is all." Amy said as Sora took a deep breath and scratched his head hearing that.

"It's alright to stare. I have lost my arm for a long time now." Sora said as Caroline nodded her head, Sora getting more and more used to talking to people that he knows like they were complete strangers again. He couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness, feeling like he had gotten used to being erased despite fighting against said erasure. Pushing that thought to the back of his head, he decided to instead focus on the person in front of him right now and try to not think too hard about the fact that said person was in fact a colleague he was very familiar with.

"I appreciate the attempt at small talk Caroline but you have done your job." A voice spoke through the earpiece as Sora immediately recognized the voice that came out from the earpiece as Caroline remained quiet and quickly shrunk back down to her shell as Sora took a deep breath. Bullet and Amy watched on from the side as they noticed a small group of people slowly moving around Sora's position, confirming Sora's earlier suspicion.

"May I know who this is?" Sora questioned despite knowing the source of the voice very well and wanted to say the name so badly at that moment. "None of your business because you won't live long enough to know it." The voice said as Sora continued to resist the urge to speak the name out loud as he could feel bodies slowly approach his general direction. "I take that you are one of Caroline's superiors?" Sora questioned as a sense of agitation was present in the voice.

"So what if I am one of her superiors? Why does that even matter right now?" The voice questioned, puzzled by the choice of words as Sora's eyes scanned around to see that the two people that were jogging before were jogging towards his general direction. At first they seemed non hostile but the closer they got the more clear it was they were secretly Sector Seven spies. His gaze upon them at first did not alert them that they had been made but the longer he looked, the more they knew what was going on.

As soon as they got just at his back, one of the joggers pulled out an electric taser hidden inside their fanny pack to try and subdue Sora at that very moment. Sora having been made aware of who these people really are wasted no time in subduing both individuals, redirecting the direction of the taser to the jogger's friend and causing him to taze the man instead before striking him hard at the temple and slamming him down to the ground as Sora gave the man whose muscles were tensed at that moment a kick to the head to knock him out.

"Because it's pretty rude of you to try and send people after me when I just wished to talk with you… professor Kokonoe." Sora said, deciding now was the time to say her name as it would be easy for the person behind the earpiece to think that he was doing some reveal of info now rather than interpret it as him actually knowing who she was. "And I see you at least know who I am… and who Caroline is by the way you contacted her directly." Kokonoe said as Sora felt more people come behind him before those presences disappeared at that moment.

"Indeed I do. I just wished you would stop trying to send people to take down a person you just met. Especially since my boss wishes to talk to you." Sora said as Amy and Bullet walked past the rest of the Sector Seven spies that were hiding from the shadows as Bullet dusted her jacket off a bit. She felt so tempted to speak but Sora had advised her not to say a word just in case they were listening in on their conversation if Sector Seven were trying to avoid her. It was at that moment, Sora decided to let Amy have the ear piece to talk

"It's nice to meet your acquaintance Professor. My name is Amy Crawford." Amy said, using a fake surname to appear more normal rather than just saying Amy. While Bullet treated the reveal of her surname as some sort of mini shock reveal and took all of her effort to not make any kind of surprised face, Sora had a more calm face, understanding the surname she gave to be nothing but a fake alias she was using to hide the truth.

"Amy Crawford huh… What do you even want with me?" Professor Kokonoe questioned as Amy cleared her throat to show a sense of seriousness about her. "All I wanted to have was a nice conversation with you, but you returned nothing but hostility towards me and my colleagues. I understand the caution you are presenting but is such hostilities even needed in the first place?" Amy questioned as she decided to have a much firmer voice to show her seriousness towards Professor Kokonoe.

Kokonoe: Please excuse me for my choice of discretion. Any kind of security leak should be treated with all of the seriousness in the world. Especially if it's under my watch.

Amy: I apologize for my bodyguard contacting your friend the way he did. It was simply the fastest way.

Kokonoe: Firstly, that is not my friend but my subordinate. Secondly, I would prefer if you didn't decide to contact me through the use of a cellular phone number

Amy: That will be noted for the future, so shall have a normal conversation or must we get our hands dirty yet again.

Kokonoe: Unless your only request is to waste my time, I would prefer to have you not bother me. I am a busy woman at the end of the day.

Amy couldn't believe what she was hearing at that moment but at the same time couldn't really blame the good professor. If someone randomly called you via your work colleague to ask if they could meet up with you, you would be both annoyed, pissed and want to have several questions. Sora himself felt the urge to take the earpiece and start to make his demands but had to play it patient, let Amy do her thing and wait for Kokonoe's response to the whole debaucle.

"Look, I would to say what I want you for but in all honesty, speaking out in the open like this is a definite risk for me. I don't wish to expose myself to untold danger to tell you all of what I have in mind." Amy explained, trying to keep things vague enough to pique Kokonoe's interest while keeping her intentions simple enough that Kokonoe would not think she's trying to hide any hidden intentions. "And why should I even listen to your request? I don't see you on any database so for all I know, you could be NOL Intelligence trying to capture me." Kokonoe replied making Amy sigh a bit.

"Because if I was really NOL intelligence, I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of organizing something this obvious just to try and drag you out. You are clearly a woman of both intelligence and secrecy and you wouldn't have wasted your time to come here." Amy explained as silence greeted her as she figured that Kokonoe was taking her time to decide how she should handle the situation presented in front of her.

As she did this, Bullet was keeping an eye on the surroundings, she knew that Sector Seven were always keeping an extra set of eyes and instead of using Ars Magus, they tended to rely more on the use of science to achieve their results. The extent of their technology was not clear but it was advanced enough for them to power their own facilities with power that was separate from cauldrons, giving them true self sufficiency. If the end of the world were to come, they would be the ones that are prepared for such a thing.

Sora meanwhile was keeping gaze focused on Caroline as she was fidgeting in place, looking like she was about to wet herself. He couldn't help but he was looking through a nostalgia filter and was looking at a version of Caroline he has long since forgotten. He had gotten used to the woman she was back at his world rather than the trembling mess that was in front of him right now. "Look Caroline, We only wish to talk to your boss and get the thing from you. We don't have anything to do with you." Sora said, hoping that would be enough to help ease some of her nerves.

"How...How do I trust you and what you are saying? Are you going to say that I have to take your word for it?" Caroline questioned, the nerves she was feeling causing her to tremble as Sora scratched his head, wondering what he should say to give Caroline some comfort. Caroline continued to fidget on the spot, wondering what he was going to say. "I won't say such things… but I can tell you that I am your friend in this case, not your enemy." Sora said as Caroline felt a calming presence come from Sora, a sense of familiarity from the voice as she stood still.

"I...I don't know how to interpret those words… but if you don't wish to bring harm to my way, then I won't have much to fear… except for the other things of my life that make me scared." Caroline answered as Sora took a deep breath, nodding his head hearing that. As he and Caroline conversed, he couldn't help but glance behind Amy, noticing a massive figure approaching her way as Sora realized who that figure was.

"I am afraid that you will have to come with us regardless Miss Amy Crawford. You and your associates." the voice said as everyone turned towards the direction of the voice, alarmed by what they were hearing as Amy was in the middle of her conversation with Kokonoe when the new figure emerged. "The Red Devil… Tager." Sora said as he noticed that Bullet became quiet upon the sight of the big red monster of a man that was approaching their way, something that did not escape both Amy and Sora's notice.

"I figured you were keeping some of your heavy backup on the background. But to bring the Red Devil himself of all people to this meeting." Amy said as suddenly two more presences made themselves aware. Sora's eyes widened upon seeing them as he had to bite his tongue from saying their names out loud. One of them was a blond haired woman with green eyes, wearing what looked to be a white bustier of sorts with a blue coat on top, a blue skirt and holstered behind her back were too massive handguns waiting to be used.

The other person in question was wearing an iron mask that had several layers upon it but Sora could not mistake the metal arm that was in place of the hand that was there before, an arm he only had a glimpse of before and was unable to forget even if he tried. What was more recognizable was the gigantic dragon's head that was on the side of his waist that had a hilt coming out of it, like how a sword stuck on the stone would resemble. These two people were clearly recognizable to Sora but to them, he was nothing but a stranger at this moment.

"Are you sure you need our help with this Tager? I am pretty sure you can handle at least two of them on your own." The man with the iron mask teased a little before getting a punch to the shoulder by the petite girl. "You know better than to tease like that Hunter. Besides, even a man as big as Tager would have trouble with three people...even if one of them is lacking an arm." The woman added as the man known as Hunter Long scratched his head.

"Come on Noel, I am not underestimating them or anything but I need to question if Kokonoe is going a bit overkill with this whole team thing." Hunter said as Sora had to look away for a bit as his gaze returned towards Bullet, her eyes focused on the Red Devil as Amy realized if she didn't say something now, things may get worse. "The Red Devil are you not? I am more than happy to accompany you but I must ask, are you here to actually escort us? Or eliminate us?" Amy questioned as the tension in the air could be cut with a knife as Tager noticed the woman that was giving him a 100 mile stare.

"Can I help you...mercenary?" Tager questioned as Bullet wanted to say something at that moment, the urge to speak out her mind was there as she didn't know how she should react in this situation. She knew if she didn't say something she was going to just draw unnecessary attention to herself and make herself seem more suspicious than she actually was. If she said something off, that might throw away any chance they have to get Sector Seven to listen to what they want to know.

"Just speak out what you want to say." Sora whispered quietly as he could see the dilemma that was in Bullet's eyes. He did not know if that was going to be helpful for Bullet in this case but it would be enough for her to have some clarity about her current situation. "I just want to ask you something… Tell me, Do you know who you are?" Bullet questioned as Tager looked at her confused at that question. "I apologize, your question is worded quite interestingly… care to elaborate." Tager asked.

"...You look like someone I know...someone that I respected a long time ago. I just want to confirm something if you don't mind." Bullet questioned as everyone looked at Tager, wondering what he would say at that moment as Tager himself seemed puzzled by what this woman was asking. "All I know is that I serve the whims of Professor Kokonoe and help her with all kinds of tasks. Does that help you narrow your understanding of me?" Tager said as Bullet pondered on his choice of words as she couldn't help but feel a familiarity behind them. A sense of duty that most untrained mercs would lack.

"...I guess that is something I can accept for now." Bullet said, clearly unsatisfied with the response she got but she figured that pressing it further now would be counterproductive with what they wanted. Also it would mean that Sector Seven may suddenly become even more aggressive and instead of trying to bring them in, they may just instead choose to take them out. Tager definitely noticed her dissatisfied by his response but chose to respect the level of professionalism she was demonstrating.

"I must ask Professor Kokonoe. Is this armed entourage you have in front of us here to take us to you or otherwise?" Amy questioned as that was a good question to ask that Sora and Bullet had thought. Sora himself was prepared for any kind of situation as his hand was tense, clutching on the briefcase he held ready to use it at any moment as his eyes scanned throughout the scene, making sure to assess the threats, both present and hidden in the area that would pose either an issue with them either escaping or having to face off against.

"That will depend on your next answer here Amy. All I want to know is are you friend or foe?" Professor Kokonoe's question at that had Amy confused. Friend or foe? What kind of question was this scientist was asking. "We are friend of course. We have no qualms with you." Amy said as silence remained on Kokonoe's side as she did not know what kind of response she was going to get from the good professor at that point.

"I see… well then, be a good friend and just let my associates handle you painlessly." Professor Kokonoe said as that told Amy that something was definitely very wrong as Tager sighed. "I wish that things had not to come to this. But a job's a job." Tager said as he began to prepare himself for combat. Amy scratched her head as she wondered where she had screwed up and why he was going after them. Bullet herself was ready for anything.

"Looks like things are going to shit, what are we going to do." Bullet questioned as Sora remained quiet, his eyes were looking around left and right as he slowly placed the briefcase he held as a sensation came over his body, telling him that he was in grave danger at that moment. He originally thought the danger was the people around him but now, it was clear that there was someone else in the area, someone who was on the hunt as Sora's hand drifted towards his gun for all to see. Bullet thought this was him ready to get down to a fight as Bullet was about to assume a fighting pose herself.

The tension in the air was soon broken when a bloodcurling yell could be heard, causing everyone to turn their attention towards the source of the voice. It was then a body came flying towards Tager, forcing him to catch them as the person laid crumpled in his hand, barely alive as his shoulder was clearly dislocated and a big hand mark was present through his clothes. Tager's eyes widened at the sight as footsteps could be heard approaching their direction as bones snapped as well.

"I was wondering what the fuzz was all about but to think it was actually a buffet being lined up for me." A man said as his sheer presence was enough to cause grave alarm for everyone that was present. His long blue hair seemed to be a mismatch towards his tan scarred body but he did not care about such things. His body was riddled with tattoos as he wore a jacket that he purposely left unbuttoned, exposing his bare chest towards the elements. His white pants and shoes were semi-formal as his presence was enough to make everyone focus their gaze towards him instead.

Everyone was silent, but not from shock but from the fact they were in front of a very dangerous presence. Any prior feelings they might have had towards each other was instantly vaporized as their collective attention was towards the danger that was in front of them. "Oh? Do I have everyone's breath taken away? Why I don't think I am that much of a surprise to everyone now." The man spoke as his eyes looked left and right, scanning the prey that was in front of him.

"The Mad Dog...Azrael." Tager said as Azrael's eyes were drawn towards the big red devil. "And Kokonoe's little puppy. Good to see that the years have not made you a chew toy." Azrael said as Tager slowly placed the injured Sector Seven operative on the ground as his eyes were drawn towards the new threat in front of him. "So where's your master huh? Hiding as usual?" Azrael questioned as Amy felt her earpiece make a loud screech for a bit.

"Hiding yes, far away from your mangy deranged ass." Kokonoe replied, speaking through a speaker on Tager's chest as Azrael grinned. "Hahaha, that's rich. Hiding while you are as powerful as you are!.. but as much as I would love to come and chew on you personally for my own enjoyment. I have my orders to bring you and your red devil in from higher management." Azrael said as Kokonoe made an audible sound of displeasure. "So that's who let you out of your damn cage…" Kokonoe said as Azrael smashed his brick sized hands together and cracked every single inch of his bones in such a way that the bones cracking were enough to create small high pitched sounds that everyone could hear.

"Indeed. But I could care less what they want me to do, I just want to have a piece of you… and every single other delicious morsel of meat out there ever since I have been sealed up." Azrael said as everyone knew at that point he was serious about what he said, itching to get into a fight as everyone looked at each other, wondering what they should do. Caroline however was terrified and couldn't help but drop down on her knees from the fear she was feeling.

"He's...He's going to kill us for sure." Caroline said as Sora could see that things were going to get worse if they continued the way they were going. "Caroline. I need your help real quick." Sora said, alarming the woman as she looked at the man who gave her a quick request as if it was nothing. She wanted to refuse out of reflex only to feel the briefcase she was asked to bring along with the item inside be placed on her hands. "Can you quickly calibrate this thing for me. I was going to ask the professor to do it for me but you are the only one who can do this right now." Sora said as Caroline looked at Sora, wide eyed and unsure of what to say.

"Caroline...trust me." Sora simply said as he understood what kind of danger they were going to be heading right into and he did not want to be unprepared right now. Could he fight Azrael with one hand and a gun should the situation require it? Sure he could. Would he most likely die if he made that kind of choice? Without a doubt and especially without his drive, taking risks like that right now was not worth it.

Caroline herself was terrified to hear this kind of request being directed her way but something about Sora's demeanor, his attitude towards her told her that she should try and place some faith in his words. Mustering up the strength to nod her head, she quickly took the briefcase off Sora's hands and proceeded to go to work as Sora focused his attention back towards the Mad Dog. "So...Who should I feast upon first?" Azrael taunted as his eyes continued to scan, giving Sora a sensation that he was hunting for someone to face.

"Professor what should we do? Engage or retreat?" Tager quickly asked as everyone was wondering what they should do at that moment. Hunter and Noel looked at Tager, both individuals were tense and equally looking for direction as Bullet herself was eager to go and face off against Bullet at that moment. "I would recommend that we take a temporary truce on our current matter to deal with the situation that is in front of us right now. Is this fine with you professor?" Amy questioned, wondering what can she do to sway Kokonoe's side to being more friendly.

"...I can at least agree to that truce for the time being. Tager, Hunter, Noel, we are leaving now before things get worse." Kokonoe said as the three nodded their heads at that. Azrael sighed hearing that as more of the Sector Seven soldiers that were hidden came out of the shadows. Weapons on the ready as Azrael sighed. "Running away? When things were getting good? And leaving me the table scraps to play with?" Azrael said before quickly dashing towards one soldier who had her gun raised to him.

"YOU DISAPPOINT ME PROFESSOR!" Azrael said as the woman tried to fire a shot at the mad dog only to see her gun be snapped like a twig in front of her as she was given a light flick on the forehead where her helmet was, sending her flying towards another soldier and knocking both individuals out. This was cause enough for the men to open fire as Azrael sighed, deeply disappointed by the mediocrity that was placed in front of him.

"Such lackluster meat. Be glad I shall give you all a quick and painless death!" Azrael shouted as he smashed his foot on the ground, causing the very foundation of the floor beneath him to shatter as a massive pillar of earth blocked the gunfire. Soon the pillar of earth flew towards them, forcing some to get out of the way while the unfortunate rest were tackled by the sheer ferocity of the earth. Azrael soon felt a brief sensation strike his back as a soldier thought he had the perfect chance and tried to slice the Mad Dog in two only for his blade to easily shatter the moment it touched his muscles, as if they struck a construction pole instead of flesh.

Azrael did not hesitate to reward such an attempt with nothing but a grab to the shirt and tossing the man right towards a group of three charging towards him. He understood the insects around him are doing their due diligence and work to try and subdue him but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel disappointed that Sector Seven had such weaklings tossing themselves right at him with no spirit. He felt like he was bullying them and it was a feeling he did not relish as his face looked sour, something the troops mistake for him before serious.

"It's a god damn bloodbath. The Mad dog's not even breaking a sweat!" Bullet said out loud as a reaction as Amy continued to analyze the situation calmly. "Tager, now is our chance, while he is distracted we should leave right now." Amy advised as Bullet looked at her in shock. "And leave those men to die like that!?" Bullet questioned as Amy shook her head. "He's not directly harming them. It seems he deems them not worthy prey and is merely just disarming and taking them out of commision." Amy said as Bullet wanted to protest hearing that but couldn't.

"The longer we stay here the longer he has to force us to a fight, I suggest we retreat now." Amy emphasized as Tager nodded his head. "As much as it pains me to see this, Miss Amy is right, we are leaving now." Tager said as Hunter and Noel looked at each other, unsure how to feel about this but they understood very well that they needed to leave while they still could. There was no point fighting a losing battle when their only goal was just to bring back the suspicious individuals who were contacting them.

"Come now Caroline. We are leaving." Tager said as Caroline seemed to be busy with something as Bullet and Amy realized someone was missing. As soon as that thought crossed their minds, a bullet was fired as Azrael had to make the effort to flex his abs to absorb the shot he had just taken as he dropped the soldier in his hands to the ground. "And what kind of weak shot was…" Before he could finish his sentence, the barrel of a gun was right at his face, ready to fire as he quickly dodged the shot and attempted to swipe at the target only to find himself swinging air as the man responsible for the impressive display stood in front of him.

"Sorry if I don't look like a delicious meal for you, but I sure as hell would be better than these soldiers you have been playing with." Sora said as he held his gun close to his face as everyone watching was alarmed by this. "He...He said he will give us time to run. All he asks is to get the escape shuttle ready for us to escape." Caroline said as the group looked at Sora in shock. "Are you mad!? Are you trying to sacrifice yourself here!?" Bullet questioned.

"Not at all Bullet, I am just saying that I am probably the best bait for this kind of guy while you guys get the fuck out of here already!" Sora said as Azrael looked at the group before him before turning his head towards Sora, intrigued by how this man was willing to sacrifice himself to be bait so the rest can escape. Most would hesitate to volunteer but this man, this man was definitely different. "You may not look tasty… but at least you will be a decent appetizer judging from the way you handled yourself." Azrael commented.

"Appetizer? I would rather not be a meal for anything." Sora said as Azrael did not waste time to start trying to lay Sora on the ground. As he and Azrael ran away from the area, the others looked at each other before Amy knew what needed to be said, "You heard the man, we got to go. Now." Amy said, looking at Bullet sternly in the eyes as Bullet looked back at the direction of Sora and Azrael before grunting, feeling a sense of frustration that once again a decision was taken away from her hands.

"I...I will stay here...for a while at least." Caroline said as this was a surprise for Tager to hear. "You wish to stay here for a while?" Tager said as Caroline nodded her head. "It looks like the Mad Dog will pay no attention to me if that man keeps on fighting the way he does. As long as I don't seem like a threat… I can continue to work on this thing." Caroline explained as Tager looked at her concerned. "Don't be an idiot Caroline. You're not obligated to actually help that man. Just leave the area right…"

"I AM STAYING HERE DAMMIT!" Caroline shouted as she covered her mouth in shock. Amy stared at her in surprise but much to her own relief, everyone else was displaying varying levels of shock as Caroline shook her head. "I...I just want to stay. Is that hard to understand?" Caroline said as the group went quiet. While everyone was just processing Caroline's outburst, Amy couldn't help but note Caroline's behavior briefly mirroring the version of her that was in Sora's timeline.

"Fine! Be that way. Stubborn assistants being the way they are." Kokonoe complained as Caroline couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief for some reason. "Come Tager, we are leaving, You two Miss Crawford and cranky mercenary." Kokonoe ordered as Caroline shivered, feeling the venom coming out of her boss's voice. "You better finish what you are doing and get that idiot out of here with you. I am not going to pick your asses up if you miss the window. GOT IT!" Kokonoe shouted at the end as all she got from Caroline was meek whimper as Tager looked at Hunter and Noel at that moment.

"You heard the order, I will leave you two with making sure our "Guests" Do not cause unwanted trouble." Tager said as he took the lead, guiding the group towards their escape route as Hunter and Noel nodded their heads before looking at Amy and Bullet. "I would suggest that you two stick close. Don't want the big red man to be mad now." Hunter said as he followed suit, Noel simply nodding her head and letting the two ladies in front of her go ahead first.

"… Let us hurry then, I am not going to let this idiot die." Bullet said, running after Hunter as Amy was left to think about the irregular reaction she had just experienced from Amy. 'Could it be? The Error is influencing things here too?' Amy thought as Noel waved a hand at her face. "Apologies Miss Noel. Let's be off shall we." Amy said as the two walked calmly out of the area, leaving Caroline to focus on the task in front of her as she couldn't explain why she felt the way she did.

...Only that she wanted to do this one simple thing for a man she had never heard about before…

GREETINGS LOST SHEEP OF FANFICTION!? HOW IS EVERYONE DOING AT THIS FINE DAY!? I personally have been enjoying myself as usual, trying to keep a positive mindset. It also helps that I recently got back into Switch gaming after dipping for a little while since Three Houses. Three Hopes brought me back to the system and now I am sorta hyped to play some new switch games on the go. Don't worry, this won't mean I will be cutting down on the posting of new chapters, just mainly being taking more of my time while I enjoy the library of switch games.

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT!? WHY DID SORA DECIDE TO FACE OFF AGAINST AZRAEL THE WAY HE DID!? WHAT WILL HE DO TO OVERCOME THE SITUATION IN FRONT OF HIM!? AND WHAT OF CAROLINE!? WHY DOES SHE WISH TO ASSIST A MAN THAT SHE BARELY KNEW UNTIL THAT MOMENT!? All these questions and more will be answered on the next BLACK.