Daily Life of Monster Girls in Alabama

by GoatManofAnime

It's time for a MonMusu fanfiction that takes place in sweet home Alabama, nuff said.

58. Elemental Damage

Chapter 58: Elemental Damage

...10 minutes earlier...

Mirabelle and the others look upon the Vampiress as her menacing, oppressive aura flares. Drei and Zwei brandishes their arm scythes focused on the enemy.

'Tch, great. The biggest obstacle for us just posted herself in front of us and with my scythe no less. Speaking of, why didn't it come to me the second I called for it? It's deeply imbued with my mana, it's technically APART of me, yet it refuses to obey my commands right now! It's like HER mana is overwriting mine. I knew vampires were a strong lot but what the hell? What kind of power does this bitch have?!', Fantina expressed in frustration as the Vampiress brandishes the red energy covered scythe to attack.

Satella moves her foot ever do slightly alerting the two Karmaitachi who vanishes at high speed. Both girls appear above the vampire for a precise pincer attack; Zwei with the pressurized slicing wind blades and Drei with the paralysis serum assist. Satella doesn't flinch, giving them a death glare, then casually slices at them aiming for their torsos and heads, respectively.

Both Karmaitachi manage to block the attack created a loud clanging and sparks to fly. They both go flying back, but Zwei catches herself midair and launches several sharp, air slashes. The vampire rapidly swings the scythe deflecting every hit and the audible struck the blade surface all with a cold stare at the Nightmare.

Zwei appears behind Satella going for a cross slash to back of the neck while Drei goes for her knees. Satella vanishes in a flash of shadow, to both girls confusion, then reappears behind Drei. She grabs to Karmaitachi by the tail, eliciting a sharp weasel squeak out of her, and flails her up like a ragdoll knocking Zwei into a spin up to the ceiling . She then tosses Drei to the side into a stack of desks as Zwei falls back down.

Satella leaps up and performs a spinning roundhouse on Zwei sending her flying into a bunch of stacked boxes.

"Zwei! Drei!", Mirabelle expressed, shocked at how easily she dispatched them.

Fantina grits her teeth summoning whatever mana she could must. She creates three red magic seals that let loose a barrage of red hot energy blasts.

Satella skillfully twirls the scythe deflecting and dispelling each as stray blasts explode and damage different parts of the base.

"Gotcha now!"

Fantina snaps her fingers and a fourth red seal appears directly over the Vampiress head as she continues to block the attacks. It charges a ball of red lightning before Fantina swipes her hand downwards, "Take this!"

As a bolt of lightning descends upon her, the Vampire looks up of it with a smirk before flash stepping away as it strikes the ground creating a small crater.

"Wha-Agh!", Fantina tries to expresses before Satella fist gets driven hard right into her stomach making the Baphomet lurch forward gagging and falling to her knees.

Satella then catches her by the hair, forcing her to look up at her.

"It is no use.", Satella cold spoke before slamming the goat girl's head hard into the floor. Fantina gasps, the impact rattling her head, as her body spasms from the trauma.

She then turns her attention to a terrified Mirabelle trembling at the sight of the vampiress that effortlessly took out her comrades. Satella steps up to her with an unreadable expression.

"Hm, seems there's no one left for you to hide behind."

Mirabelle backs away, heart racing, and bumps against a nearby table in knocking down a cactus plant. The sound of the glass shattering startles and distracts her. At that moment, Satella appears in front of her grabs the Centaur girl's face hard.

"You are trying my patience.", Satella says a very displeased tone, eyes burning ruby red, then taps the sharp tip of the scythe blade right at Mirabelle front knee, making her flinch "Perhaps I must make you understand your place sooner than I expected. You need to understand why I haven't simply drained you to a withered husk yet. I only require your power, that is the only reason you are alive. Having you able to walk is not necessary. Then again...you don't need eyes either, right?"

Satella emphasizes the last point bringing the red mana scythe blade tip right at Mirabelle eyeball.

Mirabelle swallows hard, breath laboriously and too stunned to even blink, as fear overtakes her senses. Drei and Zwei shakily pick themselves up on all fours, dealing with the damage they received. Mirabelle whimpers unable to form a coherent word to which Satella scoffs.

"You are certainly not living up to the tales. You're just a scared, spoiled brat.", Satella remarks digging her claws a bit into her skin to which Mirabelle let's put a pained whimper. Satella then gets an idea, "Perhaps you lack proper motivation? Tell me, Nightmare, how much do you love that human mate of yours?"

Mirabelle's eyes widened in fear at the sudden question.

"Surely by now, Ranka has taken care of him and his consorts. Maybe I'll ask her to bring you his head as a final momento...of how weak your old master was."

Mirabelle jaws drops couldn't believe what she was hearing. The arrogance and cruelty this woman had was on another level than she's experienced, even in a dreamscape. She was finally able to look the vampire in the eyes, disgusted at even imagining what she'd find behind them. However, Mirabelle felt another far stronger emotion than disgust rising deep within as she clenches her fists. For the first time, she felt pure, unfettered rage.

Mirabelle glares at the Vampiress, anger filled eyes flickering with purple energy as Satella was taken aback a moment sensing malice behind those purple orbs the smiles in amusement. Drei and Zwei look to each other ready to attack again. Suddenly, sound of booming thunder gets everyone's attention. The fur on both karmaitachi stand on end alerting them to danger.

Then…

**BOOOOOMMMM*

A loud explosion accompanied by a large bolt of lightning blowing huge hole right through the roof and striking the ground. It strikes the base floor creating a large smoldering crater where the couch used to be. Falling debris goes soaring everywhere as the others try shielding themselves. At the same time, the sudden explosion let the sunlight illuminate the base.

"HIIIIISSSSSS!", Satella loudly hisses in pain dropping the scythe and releasing Mirabelle as her body singes with smoke. She cloaks herself in shadow bolting off to into the dark corridor.

Sparks fly throughout the area before quickly fizzling out and the dust starts settling. Mirabelle and the others could still feel their ears ringing but slowly recovering.

"Ugh cough...what...the hell was that?", Zwei brushing dust and debris off her body then getting a sudden realization, "Ah! Sis! Twilight Sparkle! Are you guys ok?!"

"Y...Yes. Somehow...", Mirabelle utters using the table for support to picking herself up. Her body was covered in dust and she had bleeding cuts from Satella claws.

Drei emerges pushing aside a small school desk that fell on top of her.

"Same here...and it looks like she somehow made it too.", Drei replies the gestures to an unconscious Fantina on the floor but covered in dust.

They up to see the base destroyed roof then at the large smoldering crater surrounded by seared or destroyed furniture.

"What in the bloody in the hell happened?"

"Seriously, was that a fucking lightning bolt?!", Zwei stated, equally astonished.

"No...it was an Ex Machina.", Drei bluntly says pointing upwards. Mirabelle and Zwei were shocked to see two winged figures descend into the base through the hole landing near the crater. One appeared to be some kind of harpy and the other had dragon-like characteristics.

"Are we clear?", The wyvern woman inquires looking around.

"Negative. On your six.", The harpy stated gesturing to Mirabelle and the others, she notices the unconscious Fantina, "You three! Don't move!"

"Hands where we can see'em, scum!", The wyvern woman roared stomping her foot hard on the ground shattered the floor..

Mirabelle tenses trembling then puts her hands up following the strange harpy's thunderous command. Zwei and Drei raise their hands as well.

Zwei narrows her eyes before she and Drei notice the two liminals familiar attire.

"Wait, are you...MON?", Drei spoke.

"Did I say you could speak shortstack?! Keep your mouth SHUT!", The wyvern bellowed.

"But yes, we are agents of MON. And, I assume, you are Mirabelle Marequine? The report said they were keeping a purple haired Centaur hostage.", the harpy states making sure to keep an eye on the two Karmaitachi.

"Eh? Um...y-yes?", Mirabelle hesitantly answers.

"Excellent. Now, what about you two?",the thunderbird says, skeptically looking to the Karmaitachi.

"We're MON as well. My sister, Ein Zyklon, was the one who sent that report!", Zwei attests.

The thunderbird and wyvern look to each other, not sensing any falsehood from her statement, yet remaining cautious.

"And just how is you happen to be with her out in the open...if this place is supposedly crawling with dangerous assassin's? I highly doubt you could overtake them yourselves on their own turf.", The thunderbird skeptically inquires.

"Two of them are incapacitated in the back from my paralysis serum. Four are confirmed dead, two have left base to pursue our comrades, and we just had an altercation with their leader moments before your arrival. Who knows where she is.", Drei briefly explained.

The thunderbird then touches her inner ear with her wing.

"Get all that, Commander?", She says as Drei and the others look to her in confusion.

'Affirmative! Clear out the hostages then continue with phase 2!', came the voice of the commander from her communication device loud enough for the others to hear.

"Understood.", The thunderbird replies with a nod as the Wyvern does the same. She looks to Drei and the others and politely bows, "Apologies for before, just being extra careful. I'm Agent Voltaira and this is Agent Nanaja."

'Careful?', the three girls thought with dubious expressions looking at the giant smoldering holes in the ceiling and floor.

"Now then, we got our orders! Let's get you folks outta here!", Nanaja stated then finally notices the unconscious goat girl on the floor, "Ah! Oh damn! Is she ok? I literally just noticed her."

"She fought with the leader of Komanda Monstra and lost...badly. We all did.", Zwei replies

"What my sister's politely saying is, she, as would say, 'ran our shit'.", Drei comments.

"Is she an agent too?", Voltaira asks kneeling down examining the baphomet.

"Well, uhh...", Zwei uttered unsure how to answer as was Mirabelle, who honestly wanted to give the truthful answer.

"She was a prisoner too.", Drei spoke up as Mirabelle and Zwei look to her in surprise, "She's a victim they were holding hostage as well before I helped her escape."

Mirabelle was about to deny this explanation but held her tongue deciding to let them believe the lie. She trusted Drei had a plan.

"Alright, we'll have our medic take a look at her. Come on, let's get you all out of here.", Voltaira urges, then slings the baphomets limp body over her shoulder.

"Ok...but how? We can't exactly walk out the front door with that psycho bloodsucker on the loose. Especially not with a non-biped in our group. No offense.", Zwei points out before giving an apologetic look to Mirabelle noticing her slightly displeased pout.

"No prob. We'll just go out the way we came.", Nanaja replies rotating her arms loosening them up.

"Way you came?", Zwei repeats looking to the hole in the ceiling skeptically.

"And don't worry about your quadruped friend here...hup!", Nanaja says before flapping her wings getting herself airborne right over Mirabelle. She then plops down on her horse back to the Nightmare and the both Zyklon surprise.

"AH! W-W-What are you doing?!", Mirabelle exclaims instinctively trying to buck her off but the wyvern locks her claws and legs together underneath her stomach.

"Whoa there! Don't have fit lady! And HUP!"

The wyvern starts flapping her wings, lifting the Centaur off the ground, steadily getting higher.

"WAHH! N-NO STOP, ARE YOU MAD?! PUT ME BACK DOWN! PUT ME BACK DOWN!", Mirabelle cried out in panic.

"Take it easy! It's perfectly safe! I've seen human airlift cows and horses in those 'heelocopper' things of there's. Same thing!", The wyvern assures getting closer to the ceiling hole.

"I'M NOT A FARM ANIMAL AND YOU ARE NO HELICOPTER!", Mirabelle retorts once again fearing for her life as they reach the outside.

Zwei and Drei watch as they fly through the hole.

"She's...gonna be ok right?", Zwei inquires.

"No need to worry, she's a wyvern. She's got CRAZY strong legs and wings, even by normal standards. Now hop on, I got room for two more.", The thunderbird reassures before gesturing to her empty shoulder.

"We're good. We can basically fly too.", Drei replies emphasizing her point as she and Zwei generate a couple if small swirling cyclones levitating on them.

"Awesome. Let's go."

"Wait.", Drei dispels the cyclone then quickly grabs Fantina scythe. She stumbles a bit at weight it has before slinging it on her shoulders.

"You're really gonna bring that with you?", Zwei questions.

"Would you rather the vampire have it."

"Hmm, good point. Alright let's go I got a few things to share actually.", Zwei informs peeking the interest if the two the other liminals

The group exits the base as a Satella watches from the shadow with menacing ruby eyes. She elicits an irate grunts gripping a the metal sliding door and bending it.

...Five minutes earlier...

In the back, Ember could be seen staggering to her feet. She managed to sweat out a good bit of the paralysis serum but noticed she was still quite numb.

She nearly falls over but catches herself on Hushes dresser and looks at herself in the mirror.

"Hahaha come on...get your ass in gear dammit.", Ember says to herself then slaps herself a few times, "Ok...I kinda felt that. Good."

"Mmmph!"

Ember turns hears Hushes voice behind her then turns to see the Mantis struggling to pick herself up her one trembling arm. She smirks proudly the girl's spirit.

At that moment, a loud explosion rings out throughout the base creating a large rumbling startling both of them and almost knocking Ember off balance.

"GAH! W-What the hell was that?! An explosion? Are we under attack?", The salamander stated before another thought occurs to her, "Oh no, Satella!"

Hush, upon hearing that, grows more concerned and hastily tries to pick herself up but found that her limbs still wouldn't obey her.

Ember, moved by the Mantis determination clenches her fist deciding to power through as well. She approaches Hush and quickly helps her up.

"I don't know what's going on but I'm not taking any chances. Not this time.", Ember says in a fervent tone scooping the mantis girl up in her arms then carrying her to a nearby storage closet.

She opens it and places the young mantis inside, much to her chagrin and she violently shakes her head pulls at Embers shirt make low whining.

"Hush. Hush stop it! You stop that right now!", Ember firmly stated gripping the fussing mantis by the shoulders, " I know your worried and wanna help but you can't in your condition! I don't know what's going on up there but this is for your own good. Don't worry...just stay quiet. I'll be back."

Hush eyes shot open upon hearing those words. Her blood ran cold and a huge felt like it was pressing against every muscle in her body all at the mention of those three awful words.

"Mmmm.", Hush moaned loudly shaking her head fervently as she grips the Salamander tighter.

Ember caresses her face trying to calm her while giving a loving and confident smile.

"It's ok. It's ok. I'll take care of things. I just need you to stay quiet.", Ember assures putting a clawed finger to her lips.

Suddenly, from Hush's perspective, the Salamander changes into an image of a another much older female Mantis. She makes a 'Shhh' sound as a horrified Hush gazes upon her in fear as awful memories resurface. Agonizing screams, sounds of flesh torn, haughty laughter, and feeling of vulnerability overcome the teen Mantis.

"I'll be back.", Ember says before shutting the door as the Mantis shakes her head in protest before finding herself in the dark.

Hush could still see the image of that older Mantis in her mind. A small smile on her face with emerald full of love as she puts a finger to her lips telling her...'hush'.

'Come back...', Hush mouthed as tears streamed down her face.

A few minutes after the others left, Ember arrives from the back and was shocked and horrified by the state her home was in. Furniture and decorations destroyed, not to mention the giant holes in the ceiling and floor. Worst of all her new Ralph Lauren had been completely destroyed.

"MY house. MY BEAUTIFUL HOUSE! WHO? WHO DID THIS?!", The Salamander bellowed as her body is engulfed in flames and her claws and feet glow searing orange and flame whip from her tail.

"It vas ICEP.", came the voice of Satella getting Embers attention as she looks toward the dark corner of the room, "Two agents, likely more. They and two Karmaitachi left vith my Nightmare. Vhere is Hush?"

"She's in the back recuperating from whatever that weasel midget stuck us with."

"I see.", Satella says in a ponderous tone.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Ve stole it once ve steal it again...and in between ve slaughter those plebeian trash. No matter vhat game they play they vill regret attacking our base! Besmirching the name of Komand Monstra!", Satella angrily stated while slamming her fist into the wall cracking the concrete.

"Heh, going full offensive. I love it when you're angry it means I get to let loose. Let's go wild on their asses.", Ember says with a wide grin full of malice.

"Yes, wild. Before ve do that...there's um...one thing I require first. There is a reason I am standing vay over here.", Satella mentions hoping she'll get the hint.

Ember quickly noticed the entire room was well-lit...with natural sunlight and puts two-and-two together. She new her leader was a proud woman who disliked to ask for help even when she clearly needed it.

"Alright, I'll go get your 'middle finger ' suit!", Ember stated going over to the basement entrance.

"Ve greatly regret letting Heather name it.", Satella bemoaned, shaking her head.

...Outside...

Fantina was slowly regaining consciousness and could hear the voices of Zwei and Drei in the background and a couple others she didn't recognize. Her eyes flutter open and she found herself staring up at a dark roof.

"You're awake.", came a feminine voice catching the baphomet's attention.

She looks to see a pale skinned woman sitting beside her and quickly springs up backing away from her and going on the defensive.

"Who are you?! How did I get-AH!", Fantina demanded before getting a nasty sting in her bandaged forehead. Blood starts seeping into the white fabric staining it with a red spot.

"Whoa, easy now, sweety! You took quite a few nasty hits back there. You also had a some internal bleeding that would've big trouble. ", The pale woman informed before touching the Baphomet's forehead.

Fantina gets a strange sensation in her forehead as the bleeding stops and then pulls her hand away taking with her a floating orb of red liquid much to Fantina surprise. It was then the Baphomet started piercing things together.

"You're an...Undine."

"Ah, you're familiar with my kind? That's nice to hear. But please, call me Marnie.", The Undine spoke with a grin.

"Ok, 'Marnie', mind telling me what happened?"

"It's exactly what it looks like. I'm tending to your wounds. Those Zyklon girls and the others brought you in and explained everything. What's your's Dearie?"

"It's...Fantina."

"Well, don't you worry Ms. Fantina, my team and I will keep you safe!", Marnie confidently stated beaming a caring grin at her.

"Wait...team?", Fantina repeated then notices on the Undine...annoyingly form fitting outfit there was a MON symbol on her chest.

'Ohhh crap...', Fantina thought with a worried expression.

"Hhheeegh!", Came a wretching sound that caught the Baphomet and Undine's attention.

"Oh dear, looks she was a bit too rough with her", Marnie bemused.

"i thought I was gonna die. I'm never flying as long as I live. I feel sick.", Mirabelle grumbled with a sickly expression leaning against the hood of the transport vehicle.

"Aww, don't be a big baby. We were barely even two hundred feet off the ground," the Wyvern spoke.

"And don't throw up on our ride, yeah? Terra's gonna have to wave to wash that shit off!" Pyra the Ignis said in annoyance, pointing to the Rock Lizard behind her.

"What?" Terra languidly replied.

"If Nyx wanted me to fly, she would've give me Pegasus wings or a balloon for a head!" Mirabelle retorted.

"I enjoy flying stallions and Airhead candy as much as the next guy, but the important thing is that you're out of harm's way, ma'am," Sergeant Lovelace said, then looked to the Wyvern and Thunderbird, "Excellent work, both of you."

Voltaira and Nanaja blushed slightly at the compliment, with the former discharging a few sparks atop her head and latter snickering smugly.

Fantina and the Undine listened to the conversation quietly before Fantina spoke up.

"Hey, you said they brought me in earlier? What...did they say, exactly? About me," Fantina cautiously inquired.

"Oh, they said you were captured by those assassins to be sold as a slave before they rescued you. The little one even bandaged you up and brought you your scythe thing. How nice," Marnie sweetly informed, gesturing to the Baphomet's scythe lying under the seat of the van covered by cloth.

Fantina was taken aback by her answer. She didn't understand why they would lie for her to fellow ICEP agents AND give her her scythe back. They had every reason to distrust her so...why?

"So, what's your plan now?" Drei asked

"Now that Ms. Marequine is safe, we'll proceed with apprehending the other members of Komanda Monstra."

"That's easier said then done. Two of them may be out of commission for now but the leader, who's a vampire, is not to be taken lightly."

"You're telling me. The three of us got our asses rocked in, like, four seconds. She'd might have killed us if you guys hadn't busted in like freakin' Thor," Zwei pointed out.

"Thanks for that by the way. You nearly killed us trying to save us," Drei added.

"Hey, to be fair, we didn't KNOW you guys were the ones in that area. I spotted four heat signatures in that spot and that's it, yeah!" Pyra vehemently stated.

"Four? There was five of us including the vampire!" Zwei said.

"Well, if she's a vampire that means she's undead. Therefore, her body wouldn't really give off any heat," Terra said, to which Pyra ecstatically agreed.

"See?!" the Ignis reiterated.

"What do you mean 'See'?! SEE how irresponsible you are? Wow...that sounds weird hearing that from the outside."

"Enough! All of you!" Lovelace stated, stopping their bickering, "Ms. Zyklon, the little one, thank you for that valuable token information and...apologies for unintentionally getting you all caught in the crossfire. We will proceed with greater caution going forward. What do you all intend to do now?"

"We intended to have a rendezvous with Mr. Bizzell and the others."

"Ah! That's right! You said two of those assassins went after them at the hotel right?!" Zwei said as Mirabelle also remembered that little detail as well.

"Correct. We're also finding a way to remove the enslavement collar that was placed on Ms. Marequine," Drei informed as Mirabelle glanced at her, touching the collar.

"Is that right?" Lovelace spoke, stepping up to Mirabelle and getting up close, examining the collar.

"U-Umm..." Mirabelle murmured, looking away in embarrassment as Pyra and the other looked on with varying degrees of displeasure.

"I see, angel magic, huh?"

"Wait, you can tell that just from looking?!" Zwei said in surprise.

"No, we've dealt with this before," Terra elaborated, "There've been several cases of liminals sold on the black market wearing such collars. All of them with the same design and same source."

"Malones. Bunch of people-enslaving commie bastards!" Lovelace stated disdainfully, "No worries, missie, my associate can remove that collar no problem!"

"Wait, really?!" Zwei gasped as Mirabelle and Drei looked to him in surprise.

"Yes! In fact, she should have made contact with at the motel further away from here. In fact, let me just check real quick on her progress."

Lovelace tapped his ear and the communication device activated, allowing himself and the others of his team to hear.

"Agent Jill! Do you copy?"

'Loud and clear, Commander Darling', spoke the voice of the Dark Mage seductively in the ears of all.

"Status report!"

'Area secure. The host family in custody and unharmed. Two casualities, unfortunately, one resident and one staff member in the establishment. My magic found the others are fine but still in a comatose state from a energy draining spell. All they need is some rest. Also, it appears two of the hostiles have already been taken out. We have Agent Zyklon to thank for that.'

"Ohh! That's great to hear!" Voltaira said.

"What is it?", Drei inquired as Fantina approached the group, listening in.

"Apparently, two more assassins have already been taken out by the agent Zyklon. Er...the one at the hotel. Man, that must get confusing," Nanaja remarked.

"Not only that, but the host and his homestays are just fine as well," Terra added.

Mirabelle smiled widely upon hearing that Caleb and the others made it out fine.

"Nice! Way to go, sis!" Zwei stated, relieved to know they were alright as well.

"Excellent. We are having field day on our end too. and both Zyklons, are in our custody. Where are you now?", Lovelace inquires through his earpiece.

'We're all inside the hotel room. I just finished healing everyone's injuries. What are your orders?'

"You and Ms...er...Zyklon remain there for now. We'll be there shortly to retrieve you all. Do not let them leave that room."

'Understood, darling.'

"Haha, music to my ears. See ya.", Lovelace ends the communication.

"This is great! Let's hurry up and meet with them!"

"We are but not without keeping an eye on the remaining assassins! Pyra! Voltaira! Both of you watch their base from above for any move they make. Engage ONLY if necessary but if you must, light them up like the fourth of fuckin' July. Understood?"

"Sir!" both girls simultaneously saluted.

"Are you sure those two will be enough?" Fantina questioned, strutting up to the group with her scythe slung over her shoulders.

"Ah, dearie, you shouldn't be moving around too much!" Marnie fussed in concern.

"I'm fine," Fantina assured then said to Lovelace, "The remaining liminals in there are no joke, especially the Vampire. I don't know what kind of mana she has, but it's not like anything I've seen before."

"Heh, thanks for the concern kid, but we got plenty of fire power to deal with them. Literally. Plus, it's still daytime!" Pyra proudly said, snapping her finger, creating a fireball at her finger tip.

"It's not so concern much as it is situational awareness. We have them cornered right? That means they'll fight back much harder than before. Desperately timed...you know the rest, I'm sure," Fantina lectured as the Ignis gives a slightly peeved look, not liking being talked down to by a child, "Oh, and for the record, I am NOT a KID. I'm twenty-nine."

Lovelace and the rest of his team, along with Mirabelle and Zwei, were taken aback with varying degrees of shock.

"Damn," Terra expressed plainly then looked to Drei, "And you..."

"My sisters and I also in our twenties," Drei replied with a dead serious stare.

"Yeesh, malnutrition at childhood is no joke," Nanaja whispered to Pyra who nodded in agreement, much to Fantina's annoyance.

"Honestly, I think they're pretty. There's something charming petite women," Marnie honestly expressed as Fantina raised her eyebrow in surprise. The Undine gave her a supporting smile.

"Hmph. At least someone here has some sense."

"Right! Petite women deserve appreciation, dammit! Now that's cleared up, you both heard the little lady. Don't do anything too reckless, you hear?" Lovelace said, taking the Ignis and Thunderbird by the shoulders, making them blush at the gesture.

"Right, Commander!"

Lovelace nodded then turned to the others, "RIGHT! LET'S MOVE OUT!"

"SIR!" the others saluted.

"Right this way, Miss. You too," the Rock Lizard urged Mirabelle and Fantina, leading them to the vehicle back entrance.

"I'll tail from above!" Nanaja called before Lovelace nods in approval.

"Us too!" Zwei stated, lifting herself in the air with a swirling cyclone.

"Ever vigilant, just what I like to see in agents," Lovelace admired before going to the vehicle driver seat.

"Hey. We need to talk," Zwei said to Drei who raised an eyebrow before following her sister up in the air.

When the vehicle was loaded up and everyone was in their positions, they started their way to the hotel.

All the while, they were oblivious to the small round red and yellow eyeball observing them the entire time. In the distance, five black vehicles could be seen heading towards Komanda Monstra bas

'Hehehe, busteeedd. This is gonna be fun.', quietly echoed the voice of Acula as the floating eyeball headed towards the vehicle carrying Mirabelle.

...Earlier back at the hotel...

Lyca could be seen lying on the ground, her body glowing with faint blue light from the Dark Mage's hand. The wounds on her disappear and the She-wolf eyes flutter open.

"Ah, you're awake," Jill happily said.

"Y-Yeah? Who are y-wait! The enemy!" Lyca stated in realization, immediately shooting up to her feet, ready to scrap to the Dark Mage's surprise.

"Whoa, easy now, Fuzzy! We good. We're safe now!" Caleb assured, taking her by the shoulders, looking her in the eyes. The She-wolf immediately calmed down, dropping her defenses then looked to Camilla and Ein who looked back assuringly.

"How do you feel, Ms. Kessler?"

"I'm...fine. What happened? Last thing I remember, Chief and I were watching out for that fox then...nothing; just a big blur."

"The long and short of it? She mind controlled and tried to make us kill each other and Camilla and Ein," Caleb briefly explained the situation.

"What?! W-Where is she now?!"

"Dead. Over there," Caleb replied, gesturing to the lifeless body of the Inari further away.

"That punta was nothing but an amateur relying on cheap tricks. Using mi familia as shields? She deserved much worse," Camilla scornfully spoke before Ein touched her shoulder.

"Hey, it's done. Let it go now."

"Oh my...You're quite the passionate one, aren't you?" the Dark Mage chimed with a light giggle.

"Um, who are you exactly?" Lyca asked, curious of the strange woman with tall hat.

"Oh, this is Agent Jill. She's one of the MON agents sent out to rescue Ms. Marequine. She's the one who healed yours and Mr. Bizzell's wounds," Ein informed, "Thank you so much by the way."

"It's nothing, hun. I'm just following my commanders orders," the Dark Mage casually waves off.

"Still, Fuzzy and I would've been in serious trouble if you hadn't shown up. I honestly don't know how to repay you," Caleb said in appreciation as Camilla frowned, not liking that some STRANGER had to step in to protect her lover.

Jill smirked coyly then stepped up closer to him.

"Hmm. In that case...how about smooch on the lips that?" the Dark Mage said, bending down to eye level, touching her lips with a hungry gaze as her breasts flopped downwards.

"...Huh?" Caleb uttered in confusion at the question as the others girls appeared caught off guard as well. Ein blushed in embarrassment while Lyca and ESPECIALLY Camilla looked like they wanted to tear her apart.

"W-W-What are you saying all of sudden?!" Ein stated incredulously.

"He did say he wanted to repay me. Nothing in rule book against platonic gestures of appreciation. Don't be shy now, little boy. I promise I'll be gentle," Jill crooned with a lustful gaze, as she lays a hand on Calebs chest to his embarrassment.

"Yeahhh, on second thou-AH.",

Caleb uttered before Camilla yanks to her side. Her body emanating a malicious red aura and red eyes glaring threatening daggers at the Dark Mage.

"Touch him and I dismember ju completely, STARTING with your fingers. Try me, perra(bitch)," Camilla venomously spoke, looking her dead in the eye as the Dark Mage seemed unfazed, even amused.

"My my, such a temper. I was only having some fun to lighten the tension," Jill dismissively waved off much to Camilla's annoyance as her tail coils around Caleb's waist.

"I don't like your idea of fun. If you were a real agent, you should conduct yourself with more dignity!" Ein berated, stepping to Caleb's side as well.

"I will HAPPILY remind ju of your place, Witch!" Camilla chimed in.

"Yes, we will!" Lyca barked, hugging Caleb from his other arm, emitting low snarls.

He could feel them digging their nails into his skin to his discomfort.

"Agh! Easy girls!" Caleb said before loosening their grip, giving him some relief then looked to the Dark Mage, "She's only joking! Right?"

Jill smirked playfully, "Of course, hun. I know you all have gone through a lot so I was only trying to lighten the mood."

"Good."

"That being said, something about you is actually putting me in the mood...buuuut not enough to cheat on my beloved," Agent Jill admitted with a nonchalant shrug as the group give her unamused looks, "I can tell you all love your human as well."

Ein took a second to process her words before blushing deeply in realization.

"Yep!" Lyca bluntly stated.

"Very much so!" Camilla vehemently added as Caleb looked between them with a flustered smirk.

"Wha? Waitwaitwaitwaitwait holllld up! I'm not-I mean-we're not-I'm just his contracted ICEP Bodyguard! N-Nothing more!" Ein stuttered, waving her hands wildly.

"So you have a legal obligation to be as close to him as possible, hmm?" Agent Jill furrowed her eyebrows knowingly, "Careful hun, it only gets easier and harder at the same time."

Ein gave a incredulous look, blushing deeper as steam bellowed from her ears, "W-What do mean by 'harder'?! I don't-"

"Wait! Shush! It's my beloved is contacting me," Agent Jill stopped as she touched the communication device in her ear, "Loud and clear, Commander darling!"

Caleb and the girls looked to each other questioningly as Ein was still left dumbstruck stuttering, mouth agape, face red and steaming. Camilla hand chopped her in the back of the head, snapping her back to reality.

Agent Jill gives them a description of their current situation, including the civilians and Caleb's group condition.

"That's right, and two of the hostiles have already been eliminated. We have Agent Zyklon to thank for that," Jill said, winking at the Karmaitachi who gave a humble smirk, knowing they were omitting quite a few details as she continues the conversation, "What are your orders? ...Mmm. Understood, darling."

Jill turned off her communication device and faced the others' expectant gazes.

"What was that? Is everything alright?" Ein inquired in concern.

"Everything's fine, hun. Commander Lovelace and the others managed to successfully retrieve Ms. Marequine along with both Zyklons from the assassin's base. They're on their way here right now."

The group slowly took in her words before a wave a relief and even excitement took over them.

"Y-You're saying Moon Pie and others are OK?!" Caleb exclaimed.

"Yep! I don't know what a 'Moon Pie' is, but yeah, I guess."

"Hooray!"

"YES!"

"Fantastico!"

"This is awesome!"

Jill watched as the group happily celebrated with Lyca bouncing around and Caleb scooping her in a hug, laughing and doing a little spin, then going to Camilla, hugging her tight as she chuckled. In the heat of excitement, he scooped up Ein as well and the two hugged, chuckling happily. A couple seconds later, they stopped. Ein looked down, seeing Caleb looking up at her chin mushed between her breasts and her arms around him. The two immediately pulled, away straightening themselves up with rosy cheeks.

"Ahem, yeah um...it's great that Drei's OK," Caleb said, trying to diffuse the awkwardness.

"Y-Yes! It is. Then it is Drei we're talking about. I appreciate it though," she said with smile, avoiding eye contact while taking shallow breaths to slow her racing heart.

"WE WON! We can go home now!" Lyca happily laughed.

"Well, guess we did. Hopefully, we can soon put this behind us," Caleb sighed, relieved.

"Yeah, ditto. I'm starting see why Agents like Sterling are-" Ein paused as her face turned pale with realization, "SHIIIT! I FORGOT ABOUT STERLING!"

The others were taken aback by her proclamation before Caleb got an uneasy feeling in his stomach as reality set in.

"Oooh, ghosting your superior, huh? Aren't you the flippant one," Jill cooed whimsically.

"Ah, hell. We're gonna get it this time," Caleb despaired.

"Aww, cheer up, hun. I'm sure if you explain what happened he'll understand."

"Lady, you don't understand the weight of our bullshit we have on this man," Caleb cryptically replied as Ein curled up on the bed, cradling her knees and whining.

"I think you're overreacting. I'm sure he's more concerned than he is mad right now," Jill assured.

...Meanwhile...

"I AM SO FUCKING MAD!" Sterling shouted to the sky as Agent Cody tried in vain to calm him down and Agent Ketcher talked with the police about an alternate route, letting the stressed man vent.

...back to the group...

"You really think so, huh?" Caleb replied incredulously before sighing, "OK, you know what? It's fine. I already made my bed. We'll just wait until your superior gets here then we can call him up, explain things better, and hopefully LESSEN the ass whooping."

"That's the spirit, hun!"

Lyca went over to try and calm Ein along with Jill as Camilla and Caleb raised en eyebrow at each other, deciding to face what came next together.

Unbeknownst to them, outside, several black vehicles came barreling down the road. Three of them detoured from the rest and entered the driveway of the motel. Inside on of the vehicles heading down the road, Acula could be seen with her hand out the window, pretending it was an airplane.

"And there they go to handle that little problem," Acula said to her driver, Ivan.

"That is, if the information you gave is accurate," he replied skeptically.

"I only report what I see and what I saw are TWO of Komanda Monstra's members DEAD as hell near the motel and ICEP pulling up to their base! I'm just as confused as you...yet also weirdly engaged."

"An unnecessary discrepancy. I don't care who those people are. If they were able to eliminate two members of Komanda Monstra, that makes them a threat. I just hope our team can eradicate them quickly."

"I gave you the motel number they went in. Should be easy pickins. A good old fashioned mob hit! Gotta love it," Acula said in a whimsical tone, "Let them handle it while you take care of ICEP and Elijah takes care of what's left of Komanda Monstra."

"We take care of Komanda Monstra," Ivan clarified.

"Yeah, no, I'm not a fighter. I'm more of a spectator...and a lover," Acula emphasized, licking something white off of her lip and giving him a toothy smirk.

Ivan sighed, shaking his head questioning...SO many life choices before refocusing on his objective.

...Meanwhile...

Nanaja and Voltaira were circling the area above Komanda Monstra base like buzzards.

"Sure aren't many people around this neck of the woods," Nanaja said, noticing the lack of civilians in the area.

"Most people are still at work right now. Besides, Commander called earlier to have the major entry points blocked off to keep any civilians from entering anyway," Voltaira explained.

"So why are they allowed through?"

"What?" Voltaira looked down to see a few black cars tailing each other in line down the street, approaching the base.

"Did the commander call in for more backup?"

"No. Those aren't ICEP vehicles!" Voltaira answered, a bit confused as to how they got past the road block.

"Are they civilians?" Nanaja questioned.

The black vehicles then parked along the curb directly in front of the Komanda Monstra base and out stepped several men in suits and three liminals; a Tengu, an Elf, and a Werecat. Each of the men carried a P90 assault rifles save for three guys carrying M32 grenade launchers.

"DEFINITELY not civilians!"

"Should we engage?!"

"Not yet! Stay out of range in the meantime!" Voltaira instructed.

Below, the three men with M32s took their positions near the front of the base. Three of the liminals carried backpacks filled with extra ammunition. Elijah could be seen behind them, puffing a cigarette then flicking it away.

"Sdelay eto! [Do it!]"

At that order, the three launched their grenades, targeting the front entrance. They exploded a couple seconds later blowing down the entrance door. They were no ordinary grenades as they were imbued with angelic mana, making them do twice the damage.

"What the hell? They're attacking the base?!"

"Opyatʹ taki! [Again!]" Elijah ordered as the men launched another barrage of grenades, blowing up the boarded windows. He ordered them to keep it up as explosions rang out, almost becoming a warzone while chunks of the base flew everywhere.

'Come on out, you filthy Krysy [Rats]," Elijah thought, readying his P90.

"M-Master?" spoke the nervous Tengu woman.

Elijah look at her with annoyance, "What?!"

"U-Up there!" she pointed up.

Elijah looked up, shocked to see two liminals flying above, circling the area.

"What the?! How long have THEY been up there?!" said one of the guys, looking stunned.

"You think they're Komanda Monstra...or with MON like Ivan warned us about?" asked another guy, holding his SMG close.

"It doesn't matter! We'll fill them with bullets all the same! YOU!" Elijah vehemently stated before turning to the Tengu, making her flinch, "Fly up there and lure them down closer!"

"B-But there's two of them a-and-AHH!" the Tengu cried out as Elijah clutched the hair atop her head hard.

"I don't give a damn. Fly your ASS up there or are you going disobey my orders?" he venomously hissed in her ear, sending a chill down her spine. The runes on the collar started to glow faintly and the Tengu could feel overwhelming dread envelop her body. As if she would die that very second.

"N-NO! Never, master!" she stated as the runes' glow faded and the sensation slowly went away to her relief.

"Then GO!" Elijah roughly shoved her off, making her stumble forward on her knees, "The rest of you push forward toward the base. Light up anything that moves."

She quickly scrambled to her feet while spreading her wings then taking off into the sky.

"Keep up the onslaught! All of you push forward! Flush them out and light them up! You three help me bring these winged beasts down," Elijah instructed his men as they took their positions.

Above, Voltaira and Nanaja were dumbfounded to see the Tengu woman flying towards them at full speed.

"What they hell? Who's that?" Nanaja questioned.

All the while, inside the base explosions rang out, rattling the walls, spreading golden fire, and two figures were approaching through all the destruction with furious malice. One carried something slung over her shoulder.

The Tengu screamed as she wildly swung her fists at the two liminals, trying to connect a punch but they easily dodged them all. They could tell right away the girl had never been in a fight in her life.

"Hey! Calm down, would ya?! What are you even doing here?!" Nanaja stated, weaving through the Tengu's swings.

"Following orders! NOW COME GET ME!" she yelled before turning to the Thunderbird who easily weaved through her hits as well.

Voltaira could see the desperation in her expression but what caught her gaze the most was the collar around her neck.

At that moment, Nanaja tackled the Tengu with her foot claws, trying to restrain her.

"Hey! Quit thrashing! What do you mean 'following orders'? THEIR orders?" Nanaja said, looking down, noticing the gun pointed in their position. Realization dawned on her, but was cut off when the Tengu ripped off her own shirt sleeve to get free. She then grabbed the Wyvern's wing arms, wrapping her whole body weight around it much to Nanaja's shock, "GYAH! WHAT ARE YA-GET OFF!"

The two started to descend downwards.

"NANA!" Voltaira shouted as she dived after them.

Elijah and his men took aim as they got closer within range.

"GET OFF, YOU PSYCHO! YOU TRYING TO KILL US BOTH?!"

"WHO CARES?! I'M GOOD AS DEAD EITHER WAY!" the Tengu despaired, closing her eyes, preparing to either get shot to death or die on impact.

Voltaira focused her energy as electricity pulsated from her body. Her entire body emitted an intense white lightning flash.

Elijah and his men were blinded as they shielded their faces.

As they were distracted, Nanaja and the Tengu were just about to hit the ground. However, in a flash of electric blue lightning, Voltaira grabbed them in the knick of time and carried them off, dumping them atop the roof of an old house.

"Are you both OK?"

"Ergh, I guess," Nanaja groaned, rubbing her head.

"Why? Why did you save me? I was almost free," the Tengu uttered sadly before Nanaja finally noticed the enslavement collar on her neck.

"You can be ALIVE and free. Don't worry, we're going to help you AND the others," Voltaira assured, giving a confident smile.

The Tengu looked to her in surprise but unsure of her words.

"So, we have permission to engage now?" Nanaja asked, cracking her neck.

"As if you need to ask."

Meanwhile, Elijah and the others were slowly recovering.

"Where the FUCK did they go?!" he shouted, scanning around for them.

A few of his men scream out, getting Elijah's attention.

It was the three M32 guys. They were on the ground, convulsing wildly then started to foam at the mouth. The two beside and the others started to panic, having no idea what was happening to him.

They couldn't see the three needles laced with neurotoxin protruding from his pant leg from all his thrashing.

"What?!" Elijah gasped, bewildered at the sight as well.

"Vell, it appears Madoka's skills for traps remain indispensable even in death," echoed a chilling voice that put Elijah and the other men on edge as they readied their weapons.

As a couple guys with P90s try to assist them, a round object went flying past them and exploded, creating a haze of thick smoke obscuring everyone's vision. A shadowy figure whipped through the smoke and gouged out the eyes of both men as they let out agonizing screams. The other men recoiled at the sound that was quickly silenced by the visceral noise of tearing flesh.

The headless bodies of the two men fell into view of the others, much to their horror as blood splattered on their suit. They could quickly make out a feminine silhouette with glowing red eyes filled with killing intent.

She was dressed in a crimson red with black highlighted, long sleeve hooded cloak that completely covered her skin but accentuated all her curvaceous hips and ample chest. She wore black heeled leather boots to match and black belts adorning her body. The outfit of an assassin.

Her fingers were still jammed in the severed heads of the two men. Their head then started to shrivel up to a wrinkled, deathly grey as she absorbed the blood. She smirked in satisfaction before tossing the withered husks at their feet. The men recoiled in fear at the act.

"So, she sends her peons after me? Pathetic.", She spoke be moving with blinding speed Spartan kicking hard in the chest shattering all his ribs and sending him crashing right into one of the vehicle demolishing the side door.

"KILL THE BITCH!" Elijah shouted, snapping the others' attention before firing off furious rounds, followed by the others.

Reacting with incredible flexibility, the Vampire bent herself at the knees backwards Matrix-style, scooping up the M32 then firing off a few rounds.

The men scattered as the explosions sent several of them flying back flying back, including Elijah. The Elf and Werecat slaves cried out as they ducked their heads for cover.

She cloaks herself in a shadowy veil again about to finishing them off but was as blindsided when the bullet she shot earlier changed their trajectory striking her multiple times throughout her upper body and legs leave her covered in bleeding wounds. She was brought to one knee shocked that was she actually FELT pain from her wounds. Not just pain, she quickly felt her power draining as her own blood as he injuries weren't healing like normal.

"You're not the only one benefiting from the dead, vampire.", Elijah mocked cocking his weapon with magic rounds pointing it at her, "Mama Rose' can't wait to have your head herself."

"Your 'mother'...vill have to vait much longer then", Satella replies glaring him in the eyes then clenches her teeth and let out a sharp, loud whistling sound to Elijah confusion.

At the moment, a loud crash that shook the earth and generating a shockwave that sent the pudgy man flying slamming into vehicle. He and the others looked up t the horrifying visage of a muscular reptilian woman with heat rippling from her body so intense it caused the plants around her to burst into flames. Her muscles tightened as her sweat seem to melt the stone walkway like lava and her face contorted in a horrifying, rage filled scowl. Her clawed burned like magma from the Earth's core and her tail rippled with flames.

"Are you OK?!" Ember asked in concern looking back at Satella.

"I vill seem to still have more angelic ammo left then I thought. I need to remove the bullets quickly."

"Noted. I'll end this!" Ember growled, flames billowing from her mouth as Satella nods cloaking herself in shadowy moving at high speed back inside the base.

"Shoot them!", Elijah shouted still reeling from the hit. The other snap to attention and point their guns at the irate salamander.

Without another word, she lunges at high speed as the ground exploded like a rocket at for the closest prey. Her claws ripped through Elijah's men, splitting their bodies like paper and searing the flesh so blood couldn't even spew from their wounds. The anguish screams filled the area along with the boiling blood and entrails strewed out on the pavement.

A few men fearfully attempted to shooting at her but she quickly whips her tail at them. It was so hot it sliced through their torso as their screams of agony fill the area.

"YOU. TRASH!" Ember roared, punching her fist through one of the guy's stomach the proceeding to rip him in half, "HOW DARE...YOU ATTACK...MY HOUSE!"

At this point, the remaining men decided they were way in over their heads and immediately took off running, much to Elijah's disgust.

"WORTHLESS PIECES OF SHIIITT!" Ember roared as she picked up one of the vehicles, melting her claws through the chassis then threw it, crushing the remaining of Elijah's men. The vehicle them exploded from the melted metal, getting into the fuel line.

Elijah tried picking himself off the ground and groaned in pain, finding that his ankle was broken. The heat around him was unbearable as he looked on in horror at the butchered bodies of his men. He readied his nerves, deciding to take out his trump card. He flung open the car door, finding the Werecat and Elf who screamed out, startled.

"Get out of the way! Damn beasts!" he shouted, dragging out the Werecat by the ankle and tossing her to the ground then did the same to the Elf, "Make yourself useful and keep her distracted! THAT'S AN ORDER!"

The Werecat and Elf gave him looks of pure shock, making sure they heard him correctly. He was dead serious as the collar runes glowed. Elijah quickly assembled his trump card as Ember turned her attention to him and started walking towards him.

She was stopped by the two enslaved liminals girls blocking her path. Their fists and claws were raised respectively in a fighting stances but their bodies trembled. Expressions of profound fear plastered on their faces with tears streaming down the Elf girl's face. Ember quickly noticed the enslavement collars on their necks.

"Hmph. Guess you guys are the backup fodder. You both lose either way," Ember acknowledged, before brandishing her yellow hot claws, "I'll try to make it quick."

Both girls took each other's hands, accepting fate as the Salamander rushed towards them.

However, before she could even touch them, they were both scooped and carried off by a winged figure, both to Ember's and their surprise. Both girls screamed, getting further off the ground by the second.

Ember growled, sprinting after them then slapped her tail hard against the ground, creating an explosion that launched her in the air at them.

Before she could reach them, she was quickly intercepted by Voltaira tackling her at full speed while cloaked in electricity. The surge of electricity ripped through the Salamander's body as she was sent tumbling down, landing right on top of the vehicle Elijah was in. The impact of her body crushed the top of the vehicle, pinning the man inside.

"Hey! It's alright!" Nanaja said, looking down with a smile at the two frightened girls clutching to her claws.

"Who are you people?!" the Elf cried out, grasping the Wyvern's leg for dear life.

"We're the cavalry, that's what! Hold on tight now!" the Wyvern reassuringly said with a wide grin while carrying them to safety. Both girls scream out holding on for dear life.

Below, Ember could be seen picking herself off the vehicle. Her side felt a bit numb but she quickly shook it off, looking up with a furious gaze to her new opponent.

"And who the hell are you?"

"My name is Voltaira Tnerruc! I'm a member of The Elements team of ICEP! And you, Komanda Monstra, are under arrest!" Voltaira stated, her voice echoing like rolling thunder and electricity pulsating with each flap of her wings.

Ember's fists tightened, burning with anger and she clenched her teeth. She asked in a deep tone while glaring daggers, "ICEP, huh? Then...that means you're responsible for that eyesore in the roof of my home and my destroyed living area. I really LIKED that Ralph Lauren, you know."

"If by "home" you mean your base filled with murderers and criminals. It's liminals like you that really make me sick. You're no better than these men you butchered," Voltaira denounced as Elijah struggles to free himself from the vehicle.

"I don't need to explain myself to the likes of YOU!" Ember roared before launching herself towards the Thunderbird.

Voltaira's eyes took on a electric blue glow before spreading her wings, discharging a a strong torrent of blue lightning, striking the Salamander.

Ember cried out as every nerve in her body was overloaded with pain, then fell to the ground. Electricity pulsated from her body as she shakily picked herself up to her knees. She punched the ground hard, seemingly out of frustration, breaking the asphalt into chunks.

"Hmph, as that really all you've got?" Voltaira taunts as the Salamander glared at her while focusing the heat of her claws into the asphalt chunks, making them glow red hot.

"Believe me...I haven't even started," Ember spoke, raising to her feet, fists clenched. She quickly ran backwards and threw a cluster of superheated asphalt at the Thunderbird.

Not hesitating, Voltaira flew upwards, evading the attack but then saw a second barrage of superheated stones about to strike her and quickly dodged.

Suddenly, Ember appeared above her in a rolling spin and struck with her fiery tail to which Voltaira instinctively blocked with her wings. The Thunderbird was sent hurtling but she flapped her wings, slowing her descent and landed on her feet. The feathers on her wings were singed a deep black.

"I'm going to carve you like a turkey," Ember said with a wicked grin, her claws burning a deep yellow and flames radiating from every scale on her body.

"Come on and try, ya overheated lizard," Voltaira remarked, taking a fighting stand with her wings spread and legs raised, brandishing her talons. Electricity pulsated from every feather while her talons and eyes took on a blue glow from the condensed electricity.

They charged at each other, striking and parrying with intense power and precision as flames and electricity rippled with each contact of their claws. The Thunderbird's swift and spontaneous movements kept the more braulic and sturdy Salamander from landing a fatal hit.

Elijah had finally managed to crawl out of the vehicle and winced at the deep pain in his lower back as he slid out. He was greeted with the horrifying but awe-inspiring image of both liminals in an all-out as fire and lightning ripped through the area. Voltaira attempted to fly up high to let loose a lightning strike, but Ember launched herself with an explosion from her tail and grabbed onto her back. Voltaira rolled, throwing the Salamander off but Ember created another explosion with her tail launching herself back on the Thunderbird. Both began a midair struggle of claw, fire, and lightning, with neither side letting up.

Elijah, furious about how awful things turned out, decided to put an end things himself. He pulls out the rocket launcher and takes aim for the two fighting liminals.

"Eto vam, mama i Nikolay(This is for you, Mama and Nikolai)", he spoke, in his native tongue, about he was about to pull the trigger.

However...

*SLICE*

The weapon drops to the ground followed by both of his hands. Elijah stated in pure horror at his bleeding, trembling stubs about to let a scream. At the moment, he's impaled in the side of his face with four razor sharp fingers. He shakily tilts his head seeing the malevolent and stern gaze of Satella.

She digs her fingers in deeper starting the drain his blood, causing his skin to shrivel and become a sickly gray, then tears off his entire face letting his body fall to the ground. She looks up seeing Ember dive bombing out of the sky creating a loud booming crashes miles away.

"Ghh, you have to be kidding me.", She complained balling up the flap of skin like paper then tossing it aside.

Suddenly, her ears pick up movement coming from nearby and puts up her guard. She was surprised to see Hush shakely walking out the front entrance and trip over one of the bodies.

Moving with blinding speed, Satella catches the Mantis in her arms. Hush looks up her and smiles happy to see she was alright. Satella smirks at back.

"Strong villed as ever I see. Good, ve still have vork to do."

... Meanwhile...

A few miles from the base, Lovelace and the others were just down the road from the hotel.

Zwei, Drei, and Pyra could be seen tailing the vehicle above.

"So that's the gist of it," Zwei finished, explaining the plan to Drei using her 'Voice of the Wind' for privacy.

"Simple enough," Drei responded.

"But...?" Zwei trailed off expectantly.

"Nothing, it's just a simple plan."

"Really?! I thought for sure you'd disagree and point out the multitude of consequences, questions, and lectures from the higher ups we'd receive."

"Ordinarily, yes, but with all the chasing, fighting, and having my shit pushed in three times over today, I just want this farce to be over," Drei spoke straight from her tired bones.

"...Ah. OK then," Zwei said, sensing her sister's deep frustration and decided not to press further.

"What the? What the hell's that? Up ahead, yeah," Pyra got both sisters' attention, pointing ahead. They could see a group of vehicles blocking the road with several people standing around. Mostly men in black suits and a few liminals.

Below, Lovelace and Marnie were also perplexed and quickly applied the brakes, coming to a full stop.

"What the? In the name whatever God's name is this?!" Lovelace asked, looking at Marnie who shrugged.

They then saw each of the men carrying AR-57s and were immediately put on high alert.

'Hey, Commander, are you seeing this? Who are these guys?' came the voice of Pyra on the communication device.

"Affirmative. No idea."

Further away, Acula was sitting atop a billboard sign, observing the spectacle below. Her severed eyeball floated beside her, promoting the Gazer to bring her eyeless tentacle near it before it snatched the eye-like Pacman to a pellet, becoming a normal eye tentacle.

"Glad to have ya back," she crooned, nuzzling her eye tentacle before refocusing, "Now time for the show to begin!"

In the van, a knock came from the back.

"What's going on, Commander?" Terra asked.

"We've got a problem. We've got a situation 420-B on our hands," Lovelace replied, using a special code to Fantina and Mirabelle's confusion.

"A bunch of guys with guns blocking our path, sir?!", Terra stated as the two other liminals looked to her in surprise, "How many? What do they look like?"

"There's about 22 humans and 3 liminals and...it seems they're all wearing black and red," Marnie informed. Fantina's head snapped up suddenly.

"Wait, what?! Hang on," she said before creating a large red magic seal at the van wall near the driver's seat. A circling of the outside presented itself to her and the others and was shocked to see Ivan and even Boris too.

"Who are they?" Terra asked.

"Malones," Fantina grimly spoke as Mirabelle's expression went pale.

"The Malones?! What in the hammer and sickle horseshit are THEY doing here?!" Lovelace stated disdainfully, "Ergh, as if I need to ask."

Outside, Ivan stood at the ready as he cocked his rifle, ready to get started. He nodded to Boris who then turned to the muscular red Oni and Cougar-type Werecat beside him.

"Do it!" he commanded.

Both liminals charged at the vehicle and Lovelace immediately put it in reverse, hitting the gas hard. The Zyklons and Pyra quickly rushed to their aid.

"Pyra! Air support!" Lovelace commanded through the ear piece, backing up.

"ON IT!" she stated before launching a condensed fireball in front of the Red Oni, stopping her in her tracks while shielded her face from the intense heat.

Lovelace whipped the vehicle around, shifting into drive before slamming his foot on the gas.

The Cougar then leaped on the back of the vehicle before lunging on to the hood, letting out a roar before driving her fist through the windshield and then ripping the entire thing out of the opening. She was about to maul the driver apart before Marnie quickly concentrated a ball of pressurized water and blasted the Cougar off the car.

"Keep your Cougar hands off my man!" Marnie shouted.

"Good one!" Lovelace acknowledged.

"They're escaping!" one of the guys said.

"No, they're not," Ivan assured.

As Lovelace was speeding along the road, a figure flew out from a nearby tree and tossed a spike strip on the road.

"OH SHI- brace yourselves!" he shouted, breaking.

It wasn't enough as the momentum made him run right over the strip, blowing out both tires on the right side. The vehicle skids on the road as Lovelace applies pressure to the brakes to compensate and manages to stop the vehicle before slamming into a nearby parked car.

Further away, the Wasp liminal is seen levitating above Boris while the Zyklons head toward Lovelace vehicle.

"Hmph, that was easier than expected. Now let's finish the job.", Boris spoke readying his weapon.

"Wait! Don't forget, the Nightmare is inside the van. I intend to capture her and take her to Mama Rose'...ALIVE.".

"Tch, you're really putting your trust in that eyeball monster?", Boris scoffs.

"It is not so much trust as it is an investment. Now kindly do this small thing and DON'T shoot blindly. The others are fair game but don't touch the nightmare.", Ivan says in a serious tone to which Boris obliges, "The eight of you, advance. Flank them on both sides! Boris, have your insect take care of those flying cats. We'll handle the fire creature."

"You heard him. Get to it!", Boris commanded the Yellow Jacket-type Wasp who's collar glows for her to begrudgingly obey his commands as she flies off, "You! Retrieve the Nightmare!"

The Red Oni nods before jogging towards the vehicle in the distance.

Pyra sees this and tries to take off after them. Suddenly, Ivan and the others open fire on her.

"Please! SAINT ELMO!", The Ignis stated conjuring a pillar of fire that quickly takes the form of a large Knight's shield with strange ancient symbols.

Ordinarily, anything that touches the shield would melt on contact, including bullets. Regular bullets that is. These bullets passed right through with no trouble, much to Pyra's shock, before piercing the Ignis' arm taking it out.

"GHAAA! DAMN YOU!"Pyra cries before clenching her shield and turning it into an explosive blast sending a hailstorm of fireballs upon the crowd of Russian gangsters.

"Pull back!", Ivan ordered as he, Boris, and the others scramble for cover as fireballs bombard the street. A few men end up getting sent flying with severe burns. Ivan watches as the Ignis rockets away holding her arm then sees his men already pushed close enough to the carrier van using cover from nearby structures. The Red Oni is seen still steadily approaching.

"Hahahaha! Duck and cover boys! It's Red Dawn in this bitch!", Acula expressed in amusement, rapidly clapping.

Zwei and Drei were just descending upon when they noticed eight humans with guns closing in on the van.

"Not good, they'll be surrounded!"

"Not if we can help it. I'll take the four of the left, you ta-", Drei stops mid-sentence as her and Zwei quickly sense danger.

Both Karmaitachi separate, avoiding the swipe from the yellow jacket carapace-covered claws. The Wasp levitated in front of them glaring at them, challenging them not intending to let them pass.

"What's THIS now?!", Zwei stated incredulously, ironically getting tired of getting sneak attacked. She quickly steels resolve brandishing her arm scythes in T-pose, "Whatever! You go, sis!"

Drei looks to her sister then nods acceptingly, "Alright."

The weasel descends downwards with the Wasp attempting to stop her. Zwei, moving at great speed, slashes the Wasp at the shoulder making her cry out in pain.

"Uh uh, your fight is with me Bumblebee", Zwei taunts showing her scythe with the Wasp blood on the edge.

The Wasp girl gives an infuriated scowl as Zwei suddenly noticed collar on the her neck

"Wait, is that a-"

"I'm a HORNET you damn fox!"The Wasp girl interrupts, rushing with a flurry of punches from her four arms as Zwei blocks and weaves between them.

"And I'm...A WEASEL!"Zwei retorts, landing a slash to the Hornet's side making her recoil.

Below them, the enemy was already advancing with Drei taking cover looking for an opening.

"Ahh, is everyone alright?!", Lovelace asks.

"Ah, aside from whiplash, I'm just fine Commander", Marnie informs.

"We're fine too! Couple of us just took a little spill back here."Terra calls from the back as Fantina tries to push Mirabelle's horse body off after having fallen on top of her.

"Good! Now just need to-"

Lovelace is cut off when something crashes against the top of the vehicle startling him and the others.

"Ahh! What was that?!", Mirabelle cries out from the back.

Marnie leaned half her body out to get a better look and was shocked to see Pyra clutching her bleeding arm littered with wounds.

"P-PYRA! Are you alright?! Your arm!"

"Pyra?", Lovelace stated in concern.

"Ugh I'll live dammit. Look alive, they've got weapons that cancel out mana and healing factors! I can't use my right arm and these bullets are draining my mana.", Pyra informs, trying to summon fire in her good hand but it quickly fizzles out, "I need to get these things out, yeah!"

"Those bastards! Everyone be on your guard, they aren't gonna let us out easy ", Lovelace expressed

"Right, Commander! Pyra, we have your back in the me-"

"DON'T MOVE!", Shouted a voice cutting Marnie off as Lovelace and his crew found themselves surrounded and held at gunpoint, "GET OUT! HANDS UP!"

Lovelace and Marnie reluctantly comply, stepping out of the vehicle with their hands up. Pyra raised her one arm as well, seeing one guy had his sight on her too.

One of them shoves Lovelace against the door pointing his gun right at the agent's back.

"You have any idea who we are, son?", Lovelace calmly asks.

"Doesn't matter, you'll all be dead soon.", The gunman emphasizes pressing the barrel into Lovelace's chest. On the other side, Marnie was held at gunpoint with her gunman pressing the weapon into her breast then dragging the gun down her body giving her a lecherous smirk to which she appeared unfazed.

"You clowns have no idea who YOU'RE fucking with! Why don't we show them starting with this shithead", One of the guys berates ripping off Lovelace's bandana and spitting on it. Pyra clutches her fist in anger as Marnie gives him a death stare.

The Red Oni comes walking past him, the men followed by the Cougar woman.

"Give us the Nightmare.", The Oni woman says in a deep, sullen voice before bashing her knuckles together to intimidate, "I won't ask again."

Inside, Mirabelle trembles while Terra tries to calm her and Fantina reaches for her scythe.

Marnie looked to both liminals eyes widened upon seeing the collars on their necks, "Oh...you poor Dears. It must hurt having to wear those all the time."

The Oni woman gives her a look.

"Shut your mouth, freak!"The gunman pressed the gun hard into her abdomen, making her wince to his satisfaction.

Lovelace glares at the man then notices Drei sneaking around the men in the tall grass giving a 'shush' gesture.

"If these are the men you have to deal with, I can only imagine what your 'master' is like.", Marnie spoke glaring at her gunman who glares back.

"If we don't obey WE DIE! So it's either you guys or ME! I choose me! Now hand over the Nightmare before I carve him up!", The Cougar snarled brandishing claws towards Lovelace who barely fazed.

"If you want her, you'll have to pry her from my cold dead hands.", Lovelace says, staring dead into the Cougars eyes showing no fear.

"...Fine.", The Cougar says, winding up a slash at his throat.

At the moment, Drei leaps out of the grass and onto one of the men's shoulders stabbing her blades in both his arteries much to their shock. She quickly leaps off as he falls to the ground bleeding out and Roundhouse kicks the other guy in the face before grabbing his arm, pinning it behind his back, then snaps it using her full body weight as he hollers out dropping his rifle.

Using the distraction, Lovelace skillfully disarms his gunman then bashes in the face with the back end then does the same to the Cougar woman. Then pops off a few rounds in the head of the guy holding Marnie.

"Shoot her!"One of the guys shouted, firing at Drei who ducks back into the tall grass.

Suddenly, he and two others are struck by a strong blast of pressurized water knocking them to the ground. Two look to see the Undine, her cold eyes aglow with eerie ocean blue light, and quickly reach for their guns. Marnie, moving with the grace of a flowing river, transforms the condensed water into two tentacles. She grabs both men by the ankles, lifting them off the ground upside down then slams them hard against the ground before chucking them back towards Ivan and the others like ragdolls.

They crash against their vehicles as Ivan and Boris look in surprise at their fallen comrades.

Lovelace quickly unlocks the back door of van, "Rock and roll TerrAHHH!"

He gags as the Red Oni grabs him by the neck, lifting him off the ground, causing him to drop the rifle.

"COMMANDER!", Marnie and Pyra expressed in shock.

She was about to crush his windpipe before the van doors flew open and out leaps Terra delivering a strong jab into the Oni side. The Red Oni cries at the man as she drops him to the ground. Mirabelle eyes widening recoiling at the brutal scene.

The Cougars elicits a roar lunging for the agent before Drei tackles her away. When she tries to slash at her, Drei tosses a Bungee Ball into her palm then snacks her hand down. It explodes into green goo binding the Cougar hand to the road as she tries desperately to free herself.

At the same time, the Red Oni knocks the Rock Lizard away with a wide hammer swing to which she manages to defend.

"You fight for that human but what is he to you? What are you to him? A tool? Or just a hole to fuck?", The Oni berated looking down on her.

Terra calmly looks right up at her and answers, "We're solid. Rock solid. Hragh!"

The Rock Lizard stomps hard on the ground causing a pillar of stone to shoot up from underneath the Oni. She manages to avoid the attack sidekicks the pillar breaking it in half. She grabs the broken half and swings it like a hammer at the Rock Lizard.

Terra, not moving an inch, blocks with an arm shattering the stone on impact, to the Oni surprise. The shattered stones then cover her hands becoming makeshift gloves. Terra takes a boxing stance and rushes her opponent, getting a few jabs to their body. The Oni recoils then goes for a flurry of punches which Terra effortlessly bobs and weaves through. She punches the Oni in the stomach breaking her offense then lunges to deliver an uppercut.

"Rolling STONES!", Terra shouts delivering a fierce uppercut knocking her opponent to the ground out cold.

Terra stands over her and scoffs, not noticing the guy pointing a gun on her about to fire.

Suddenly, the Wasp goes hurtling towards him and knocks him down. He hits his head on a large chunk of stone from the pillar Terra destroyed, cracking his skull as the Wasp falls unconscious. Terra looks up to see Zwei descending downwards, her clothes visibly damaged along with cuts and bruises.

"Haa...haaa...damn she was tough.", Zwei pants.

"Looks like you were busy." Terra acknowledged.

"Not as busy as you guys, damn."

"We're not done yet! Look.", Lovelace declares getting his team's attention.

In the distance, Ivan and the others could be seen mounting from the sunroofs atop their vehicles, guns in hand. All while others move the bodies of their deceased out of the way.

"Crap their full Rambo on our asses!.", Zwei expressed.

"That ammo is no joke either. I can feel my mana draining by the minute.", Pyra pointed out, showing her injured arm.

"We need to get moving!"

"But two of the tires are flattened! And we only have the one spare.", Marnie pointed out, "It looks like they were just punctured but not shedded. If we had something to patch it. Something sticky but strong as rubber."

"Thank you, Marnie, and we don't have TIME to invent a miracle substance", Pyra sarcastically stated, stressed by the scenario.

"Good, because I already own the patent.", Drei gets their attention by showing four green balls between her fingers.

"Ah, your Bungee Balls!"Zwei stated emphatically, surprising the others.

"She got what?", Terra says taken aback raising an eyebrow

"The things that did THAT!", Zwei says pointing to the Cougar still trying to free her hands from the ground.

"Phew, I was thinking something way different.", Pyra wipes her, not that she COULD sweat, in relief.

"Lucky for you guys, I have just enough for all the tires. My sister handles the air pressure. She's good with regulating air in tight spaces.", Drei informs.

"Aww, you flatter me sis."

"Perfect. They wanna be Rambo, then we'll giv'em First Blood! Help them out, Terra!", Lovelace stated as the Rock Lizard happily obliged.

She lifts up the side of the van as the weasel get the world.

"What about them, Commander? They're victims in this too.", Marnie asks, looking at the three liminals with Enslavement collars they subdued, noticing the Cougar still glaring at them both hands glued to the concrete.

Lovelace pauses a moment and collects his thoughts. He sighs heavily before responding, "We can only do so much at a time, Marnie. We see to Ms Marequine first, then deal with the rest."

"...O-Ok. As you wish, Commander.", Marnie accepted, still wishing they could help now.

She then notices Lovelace walk up to the Cougar who roars at him but he doesn't even flinch.

"What's your name?", He asks plainly much to the Cougars girls' confusion.

"... It's Marley.", She answered unsure why she decided to tell him.

"We'll be back for you all and we will set you free, .", he spoke candidly, his eyes not wavering in the slightest. The Cougar woman sensed no falsehood in his words or his demeanor. In fact, his presence, especially his scent, made her feel strangely at ease.

"All done sir!", Terra stated.

"That was fast!", Pyra blurts out.

"That's EXACTLY what we need! We take the the long way around to the hotel!"

"Right!", His team stated in agreement.

The young Centaur looked upon the dead bodies on the ground starting to hyperventilate as a whirlwind of emotions swirled through her head. The more the situation dawned on her the more it ate away at the thought of ever seeing Caleb again. Was she really going to die here? Would she become a slave if she's captured? What of her friends? Her family?

Her eyes flicker bright purple for a moment and a strange symbol briefly appears on her forehead as she clenches her head trying to make the thoughts stop.

"Ms. Marequine.", Lovelace asks, snapping her out from her thoughts, "Don't worry, you're in good hands."

"Ah...y-yes...", She halfheartedly answered, forcing a smile.

"What about you little...wait, where is she?!", Lovelace stated as Mirabelle recoils startled by the outburst.

"Who?", Pyra asks.

"The short goat girl!"

"Ms. Fantina's missing?!", Marnie stated much to the other's shock. Zwei and Drei look to each other knowingly.

... Further away...

Fantina could be seen hiding in the roof of a vacant two story house. She was debating her next move. Typically, she would have used her power to return to Malone's headquarters but, given current circumstances, she hesitated. Why would she send her son here? Did she find out about the MON squad here? How?!

"Ooh, look what we got here? I heard of fiddler on the roof but never GOAT on the roof.", taunted the voice of Acula who hovers over Fantina with a wide grin.

"Acula! I should've known.", Fantina spat quickly getting to her feet, "What are you doing here?!"

"Well, I was enjoying the show back there having a blast, until the climax got stale for my taste. Then I noticed you sneaking off while our fellow Malone comrades were being slaughtered! Guess that makes you a deserter.", She says with a haughty smirk.

"You didn't answer me, WHY are you here?!"

"Obviously, to keep an eye on Komanda Monstra AND you.", Acula chortles floating down standing right in front of the Baphomet.

Fantina gets to her feet surprised by the last part, "Me? Why?!"

"She thinks you're in league with the assassins and wanna keep the Nightmare's power for yourselves. She basically put a hit out on everyone, including you."

"I don't believe you. She knows I couldn't betray her. You did or said something. I know you did!", Fantina accused glaring angrily before brandishing her scythe.

Suddenly, a straight red beam of energy passes her burning bits of her hair. Fantina turns her head shocked to see a small, smoldering perfectly spherical hole in the metal shingles behind her. One of Acula's eye tentacles could be seen glowing a menacing red.

"Tsk tsk tsk, that attitude will be the death of you or someone you love someday.", The Gazer spoke with a menacing, Cheshire smile, all her eyes glowing red before fading. She clears her throat, "Anyway, it wasn't me. Chalk it up to paranoia and good old father time and you have a recipe for trust issues."

"Yet she trusts you?", Fantina expressed doubtfully.

"I'm a professional snitch that works for peanuts. Of course she trusts me.", She replied with a haughty smirk to Fantina annoyance, "Back on topic! Mama Rose has already attacked their base. Well, her son has."

"What?"

"Yeah, you thought you and that motley crew of MON agents were attacked by chance? No way! They're following the guidance of yours truly! Me!", Acula replies pointing her thumbs at herself.

"You think they'll be enough?"

"They're tough boys with magic guns and black air force liminal brawlers. Hell, from what I've seen, Elijah and his guys have the last of Komanda Monstra backed into a corner. In fact, I saw they managed to injure that vampire with that angelic ammo of theirs.", Acula explained, intentionally leaving out a few details, "Ivan and Boris are already closing in on the Nightmare."

"I see...wait, they brought BORIS too?!", Fantina stated in disbelief.

"Who do you think supplies the brawlers? As you can see, dear Fanny, everyone's pulling their weight. Then there's you. What were you doing with MON to begin with?"

"That's...complicated. I won't waste a second explaining to a scumbag like you.", Fantina retorts, turning her back to her.

"Is that right Pedo Goat? Well, what is it you plan to do now? Return back to Mama Rose'and plead your case. Heads up, that won't work. She's in a foul mood and you are currently on her hit list. Not a smart move."

Fantina goes silent in thought for a moment already knowing what Mama Rose was like when someone pissed her off.

"I say the only way to make amends...is give her what she wants. The Nightmare and the head of the Komanda Monstra leader.", Acula advised.

"What? And just how do I do THAT?!"

"Well, technically Mama Rose wants to be the one to kill the Vampire. You can just focus on getting the Nightmare back and letting her sons handle the really heavy lifting. After that, just magic up a portal for the queen bee herself so she pop a sweet cap in that bloodsuckers head. Pew pew", Acula instructed, doing finger guns.

Fantina thinks to herself for a moment then looks to the Gazer with suspicion, "Why do I get the feeling there's something you're not telling me?"

"You can believe me or not, the result is the same if you do nothing at all.", Acula says with a content smirk turning her back to the Baphomet but still watching with eye tentacles, "Mama Rose' has gotten tired of your shit at that moment. I wonder...what'll happen to that little Coven of yours."

At that moment, a red magic seal appears above Acula, which her eye tentacle easily spotted. It fires a blast of energy as Acula skillfully dodges with a levitating twirl as it blows a small hole in the roof. The Gazer looked at the Baphomet whose entire body radiated a red aura and her sharp eyes filled with unbridled rage.

"Keep my 'children's' names out your fucking mouth.", Fantina threatened, her words filled venom as Acula looks at her in amusement.

"Looks like you know what's at stake then. Me, I'll just be in the corner keeping an eye on all of you."

"You always were a voyeuristic freak.", Fantina shot back before literally spitting on the roof in disgust.

"What can I say...I like to watch.", Acula eerily spoke with her eyes before chuckling.

...Back to the Elements...

The Zyklons and Terra finished repairing the tires. It turned out surprisingly better than expected and the Bungee Ball goo firmly held the rubber together.

"Wow. We should consider a side gig in tire repair when this is done.", Zwei acknowledged admiring their work.

Suddenly, gunfire could be heard as bullets ricochet off the ground beside them. They could see the Malones coming down the road with gunmen poking out the roof of the car and firing.

"No time for new business ventures, we gotta move!", Terra declared scooping both Zyklons in her arms, tossing them in the back then getting inside too.

"Step on it, Marnie!", Pyra shouted from the back.

"What about Ms. Fantina?!"

"She's safer wherever she is compared to here! Step on the gas! That's an order!"Lovelace shouted while leaning out the passenger with one of the enemy's guns in hand.

Marnie, reluctantly, slams her foot on the gas. The tires screech against the asphalt creating a cloud of smoke right as the Malones draw closer.

Lovelace fires at them damaging a couple windshields as he and his team sped away. Boris proceeds to fire at them as well

"WHAT DID I JUST SAY? We need the Nightmare alive! What if you hit it?!", Ivan berates Boris who had half his body out the sunroof.

"Yes, alive, not uninjured. Besides, he shot at us first." Boris corrects him much to Ivan's displeasure.

Ivan and Boris get out to inspect their fallen comrades advising members of their squad to collect the guns.

"Look, at how they butchered our brothers.", Boris expressed disgruntled at the sight of the dead gang members.

"We will have revenge but not without a proper plan of dealing with these MON agents. I hope Elijah is not having this much trouble on his end.", Ivan acknowledged them look off to where his brother was.

Marley, the cougar, could be seen grunting as she tried to pull herself free catching Ivan and the other's attention.

Boris, with an angry scowl that put the cougar on edge, stomps over to her roughly grabbing by the hair warranting a shout of protest. He then slams her forehead into the asphalt.

"Worthless BEASTS. Couldn't even handle a few measly agents!", He shouts in irritation then walks over to the still unconscious Red Oni and kicking her in the side out of frustration.

"They quite a formidable lot, Boris. Admittedly, we underestimated them. We won't make the same mistake again. However, it's clear these three are no match for them.", Ivan acknowledged.

"Well then, I suppose I have no choice.", Boris says his foot planted on the Oni stomach grinding his heel into it then looks to one of the men, "Prinesi eto(Bring it)!"

One of the guys goes inside a duffle bag in one of the trunks and returns with a grey rectangular container. Inside, was a few syringes and a small medicine jaw full of dark purple liquid. Ivan eye's widen upon realization.

"Is that... Gluttony Fang?"

"In its most concentrated form. I bought an old batch in case I would need it.", Boris replies as he fills up three syringes of the stuff, "Ordinarily, it would be boiled until it crystallizes similar to meth…"

He promptly injects the Red Oni then the Hornet in the neck. He goes to the cougar, who struggles, before he injects it into her as well. She groans cradling over as every vein in her body feels like it's on fire. Hers, along with the Oni and Wasp, eyes shot open as the white of their eyes take on a dark purple hue. Hideous purple veins start pulsating from the arms, neck, as a growing sense of overwhelming power swells in them. The Wasp and Red Oni rise to their feet like nothing happened while the Cougar still tries to free herself. Her biceps bulge out causing the asphalt to fir fissures around her.

"...But in it's liquid state...it is volatile and twice as addicting. You'll be hooked in seconds.", Boris finished as the cougar rips a part of the street off and forcefully rips her arm out of the rubbery glue taking whole clumps of her fur with it. She doesn't even flinch or even acknowledge the pain.

"GRAAAHHHHHHHH!", She roars followed by the other two liminals transforming them into a more primal state much to Boris' satisfaction.

...Earlier...

Ten minutes before Lovelace and the other's gambit, the squad of 12 Malones could be seen making their way toward Caleb and the others room with AR-57s.

Inside, Caleb and Jill were talking with Ein trying to convince that everything was going to be ok. Camilla sat with Lyca on the bed next to theirs keeping an eye on the Dark Mage.

On the outside, the men were all stationed with their guns pointed at the room.

"Gotovyy(Ready)", the leader says cocking his rifle followed by the others, "Ogon'( Fire!)

"SENOR!", shouted the voice of Camilla from inside right as the gang member completely shot up the motel room.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

WN

Sup Fam! How's everyone been?! Yeah, I know, the chapter is a week late. A Lot has been going on at work lately. Ever since I finished my Master's(Yes, I finished my Master's in engineering. Yay me! Look Ma I made it!) they think I'm some kind of superman with infinite time on my hands. It's like they think I have now personal life. Which I totally do btw! Plus, Monster hunter rise sunbreak came out so that's been eating a chunk of my time. Silver lining, one of the Turf Wars in the game inspired one of the fight scenes in this chapter. Whoever can guess which one gets a shout out next upload.

Alright, enough of the venting, I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. It was fun to write. Trust me, the fun is STILL getting started. I can't wait to get back to writing the next one after this.

So, yeah, that's about...oh, wait.

Um... would you guys like to see a few pages from chapter 1 of the manga so far? It's still not done yet but my guy says it's fine. I'll put it up on my DeviantArt when I get y'all answer.

Ok, that's it. See ya later. PEACE FAM

'My Mind-Produced by Melv' plays