Back with the next chapter, and we have quite the doozy at the end!

Before all that, big shout out to Flameal15k and his fic, Welcome to Prehistoric Kingdom. More specifically, the chapter: Inside Their World 1. I was recommended to read it by SwapAUAnon since this chapter also tackles my first attempt with writing Xenofiction via Bond's POV. It definitely gave me a good idea on how to handle writing for animal characters, even uplifted ones like Bond.

I don't know if the quality is good. That's for you all to decide, but I think things turned out alright.

But first, Agent Nightfall's POV and the aftermath of last chapter. Definitely the hardest section for me to write. Seriously, I couldn't figure out how I wanted to handle that until I finished literally everything else in the chapter. Hope it's too your liking!

And don't forget to help add to the TV Tropes pages for More Than Meets the Spy when you're able to.

Special thanks and shout out to Quantum01 and SwapAUAnon for Beta Reading this chapter.

Mission 16: Encounter

Agent Nightfall, currently going by her cover identity as Fiona Frost, was surrounded by other doctors as she stared at the grisly scene. She displayed no emotions to such a sight on the outside, and even on the inside, she was rather numb, having seen far worse over the course of her career as a spy. The only thing that struck a chord with her about it was that it'd happened right under their noses, and yet none of them even noticed until the orderly rushed through the halls, screaming about corpses in the back of the building.

Clearly, our covers at this hospital have made us complacent, Nightfall mused, lambasting herself for her carelessness as the police set up a crime scene perimeter around the corpses. She turned her attention away from that and gazed upon Agent Twilight, currently under his alias as Doctor Loid Forger, who was a small distance away. Like many of their cover's coworkers, he had an expression of horror and disgust, though Nightfall was able to tell from the subtlest of details that, like most of his aliases, it was nothing more than a carefully cultivated mask to remain above suspicion. With law enforcement nearby and asking questions to the staff, maintaining said anonymity was of utmost importance.

As hospital employees began heading back inside, either too disgusted by the sight to stay anymore or simply needing to continue their workday, Twilight looked at Nightfall (making her heart skip a beat for a split second), his eyes darting toward the building and back to her so quickly that none but the most highly trained and observant would notice. It was his signal to meet him back inside, more than likely to discuss what they'd just witnessed and how it pertained to their current objectives. There being only one room in Berlint General Hospital where it was safe to openly, if quietly, discuss such things, she gave him a low tilt of the head: A cue that she'd meet him in the consultation room.

He left first, leaving her to remain and stare at the corpses just a little longer, taking in every detail she could. Slowly, but surely, the other staff members that weren't being questioned went inside, likely to either see if they could continue working or alert their superiors that they were heading home early. She went inside, leaving those to continue talking to the police.

Two State Security Service officers killed directly behind our cover? Nightfall understood that this was not a good sign of things to come. It was all too likely that the Secret Police would launch an investigation of Berlint General Hospital in an effort to find who killed their colleagues. The fact that murders had happened and were discovered on hospital grounds put both hers and Twilight's covers at risk. WISE would need to scramble to hide anything incriminating they might find, should the Secret Police come to the hospital in search of clues.

Although based on every detail Nightfall could see, they really needed to investigate within their own ranks first.

Approaching the consultation room, Nightfall entered and closed the door behind her, staring intently at Agent Twilight as he sat on the green seat closest to the bookshelf. She locked the door behind her and took a seat directly across, watching as his slowly shifted from the table to her.

"Your analysis, Twilight?" Agent Nightfall asked, YES! Finally, I get to spend some time alone with my beloved Twilight!

"Having two slain officers of the State Security Service will invite trouble for us," Twilight answered, a dark, steely gaze in his eyes as he shared her thoughts from earlier. All of it served to make Nightfall shiver in delight on the inside. Had she not taken his lessons to heart, cultivating a flawless poker face that could never be broken, she might've done so on the outside as well.

"We'll prepare for any potential investigations of the hospital," Nightfall said, glad to be able to discuss their work freely in this room.

As consultation rooms were designed to make patients comfortable, privacy was of utmost importance. Those that came here for one-on-one sessions felt more at ease knowing no one would be able to listen in, the rooms having been built to be completely soundproof. Such features were a blessing when WISE installed the escape routes for their agents, given that there wasn't much they could do about the noise the bookshelf made when opening to reveal it.

"Good, it's best we prepare for the worst regardless of what happens. Though that isn't my only concern," Twilight admitted, thumb rubbing against his chin, a clear sign that he was lost in that big, beautiful brain of his, "What concerns me the most is the cause of their deaths. One was electrocuted to the point where his entire body was covered in third degree burns, and the other had a disturbingly large needle jammed into his throat. Those would require some rather unorthodox weapons to have on hand. That's without factoring in how his head was crushed, which leads me into my next concern." He looked directly at her, "I take it you already noticed the tracks?"

Keeping her heart-rate steady and her face a perfect, emotionless porcelain, Nightfall nodded, "Tire tracks of a Chevrolet Biscayne, a car typically used and modified by the State Security Service for standard issue patrol cars."

"Meaning that their assailant likely stole it, but at the same time…"

He went quiet, something that worried Nightfall. "What?"

Twilight shook his head, "It's about the reports we've read regarding the first two murders of Secret Police officers at the port. The level of brutality and cruelty displayed here is all too similar. I'd rather avoid jumping to conclusions, but-"

"You believe this to be the work of the same killer?"

"Precisely. Though the question becomes if it is the same killer, why did they feel the need to steal the patrol car this time? Did they need a getaway vehicle? Why leave a blood trail by using it to kill one of them?" Twilight became lost in thought again. He was so cute when he did that. Nightfall's biases aside, Twilight's questions were beyond valid, given how well the killer covered their tracks the first time. Either they were getting sloppy or deliberately leaving clues behind like any other narcissistic killer.

"The most we can do right now is wait for the killer's next move. Thus far, they seem to be targeting members of the State Security Service," Nightfall said, getting all of Twilight's focus back on her. If such circumstances happened again with the same targets, then they'd have a clearer idea of the killer's motives.

Once was happenstance. Twice was coincidence. Three times was enemy action. And all of this enemy's actions pointed towards them being an opponent to the Secret Police. Provided it remained that way, perhaps that could be used to their advantage. And preferably in less gruesome manners that didn't threaten their cover.

"True. They do seem to be targeting the State Security Service…" Twilight's expression changed ever so slightly. He looked almost… concerned? Nightfall couldn't fathom why. Yes, the Secret Police were being killed in a needlessly violent manner. She didn't approve of the killer's methods any more than Twilight did. But she didn't have to like something to understand that it had value, and the killer removing their biggest obstacle to WISE's operations had value. Nightfall hoped her beloved would see that, and it wasn't like there was anyone in the SSS for him to… worry…

… oh. That's what this is about. "I take it you're concerned about Yuri Briar, Twilight?" Nightfall asked, thankful for how her bangs hid her right eye, for her eyelid was starting to twitch madly.

This only increased as Twilight nodded, "Yes. He's in a perilous position right now, and if anything happens to him, there's no telling how it'll affect Yor. That, in and of itself, could damage Operation: STRIX beyond repair."

And there it was.

Nightfall already knew the moment she asked that Twilight's concerns didn't rest with the Secret Police's Second Lieutenant. He found the man to be thoroughly annoying, after all, and despite only knowing of him through Twilight's reports, so did she (Twilight was rarely, if ever wrong, the magnificent man). No, his concerns lay entirely with his FAKE wife.

Yor Briar, Nightfall refused to give that woman the dignity of being addressed by the same last name as her beloved's current alias. She maintained her perfect mask, but she seethed and raged within. Oh, Twilight could pretend otherwise all he wished, behaving as if that woman's purpose began and ended with his mission, but she knew better. She saw the true hints of emotion behind his smiles at that woman. This was no longer just about Operation: STRIX for him anymore.

"Nightfall, you're clenching your hand rather tightly. Is something wrong?"

Twilight's genuine concern snapped Nightfall out of her rage. She blinked and stared at her fist, noticing that she almost drew blood, though was thankfully stopped at the last possible second.

"Yes, I am alright. My body was merely reminding itself that I have other tasks to get done." Please buy it! I can't have Twilight thinking I'm incapable of restraining my true feelings!

Spies showed no weakness, their emotions ground to nothingness. That was the most important lesson Twilight taught her, and she would rather die than fail to live up to his expectations.

"That's right, you have a meeting with Handler soon," Twilight said, granting Nightfall relief as he checked the time. Currently it was 11:30. "In that case, don't let me keep you."

You can keep me as much as you want.

"Though before you go-"

YES! I'll stay with you until I lose all feeling in my muscles!

"I need to give you the details related to the Blackbell factory operation. And if it isn't too much trouble, there's something that came up this morning and I need you to take it to Handler."

T-Twilight... needs me? Of course I'll do it! And when I do, you'll see we're meant to be together! Nightfall imagined to life they'd live once everything was over. On the inside, she was squealing and prancing like a girl who just got asked to Prom. Outside, however, she remained as unfeeling as always, and, with not even the slightest trace of emotion in her voice, asked, "What would you have me bring to her, Agent Twilight?"

"Recently, my home apartment building gained new neighbors: A father and daughter named Isaac and Sari Sumdac. Apparently, both had just arrived in Berlint. Since they're currently unknown variables, I need WISE to do some searching, see if they can find anything about them worth worrying over. It's just as likely that they're an ordinary single father and his child, but we can't afford to take chances with anything."

Sumdac… Nightfall searched through the deepest contents of her very long memory, trying to see if she'd heard about anyone of significance with that last name before. Nothing came up, which was definitely cause for concern. In the world of spies, if you've never been heard of, you were either a ghost, or a nobody. A nobody was just the average person going about their day, no cause for concern. But a ghost, on the other hand…

"I'll inform her," Nightfall briefly bowed her head and stood up, "And the details for the Blackbell op?"

Twilight told her ever detail he had fully memorized, and once she had that, she nodded, unlocked the door, and left, all while ignoring Fiona Frost's fellow coworkers as she headed out. The upcoming meeting with Handler on her "lunch break" would provide her with anything missing, namely the maps Twilight drew up of the factory layout and any camera positions, as well as the forged ID Franky Franklin created for her cover. But more important than all of that, however…

I spoke to Twilight for six minutes and seventeen seconds! Nightfall put all her focus into not skipping about, as there were still prying eyes everywhere. Once she was outside and saw that there was nobody watching her, her self control slipped and she began skipping, Oh Twilight! I love you I love you I love you! As walked around the hospital and neared her car, which was right next to Twilight's yellow VW Beetle with a black stripe, she did a spin midair whist maintaining her perfect poker face, I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove you!

Having finally gotten it out of her system, she almost reached for the door of her car, but stopped and turned to Twilight's, briefly running her finger along its door handle. She rubbed her index finger and thumb together, feeling her beloved Twilight's touch from the handle. Humming with love in her heart, she stared at the civilian vehicle to the greatest spy in human history before looking disdainfully at it and turning away, "Ugly. Far too small and weak for him." The only reason Twilight would've purchased such a pitiful locomotive is because of that wom-OW!

Nightfall found herself tumbling forward, slamming right into her own car with enough force to shake it and knock the wind out of her lungs. She heard the sound of a door slamming shut behind her and felt as if she was being watched, something or someone trying to glare a hole in her head. Quickly recovering, she turned and saw nothing.

Nothing but Twilight's car. That yellow, insignificant car, standing there and serving as another reminder of how well her darling settled into his domestic cover.

Without her.

Instead, he settled in with that woman and for all she knew the two of them were probably-

Never mind that right now, Nightfall, you have a meeting with Handler to get to, Nightfall got in her car and mentally plotted the course for her destination. She'd worry about… Yor Briar later, after she completed both her upcoming mission and her strength training to finally get the edge she needed. It wouldn't be long before she could match her in a contest of physical might. Sure, she could hit a tennis ball hard enough to shatter the sound barrier… while holding back… apparently a lot, but Nightfall was certain she was this close to reaching that level. Hopefully.

But strength means nothing if I can't compete against both her cunning and beauty, Nightfall bitterly reflected over her first meeting with that woman. Loathe as every fiber of her being was to admit it, Yor Briar was stunningly attractive, perhaps more so than her. And the poise which she carried herself? Deliberately practicing tennis with her daughter in a place where she'd witness them, knowing that she'd challenge her? Truly, Yor Briar was a mastermind few could hope to match.

I will match you and surpass you, Briar. Then Twilight will understand who the ideal wife for his mission is. You'll see! As she drove out of the parking lot, Nightfall's mind was left to its own devices, all of her wrath aimed at Yor Briar, so far away yet so close in mind thanks to the hold she had on her beloved. The WISE agent wondered what devious, incomprehensibly complex schemes that woman was devising to ensnare Twilight even further.

Oh no, did I forget to turn off the coffee maker?

That was Yor's foremost worry as she, her daughter, Bond, and the Sumdacs walked along the sidewalks of Berlint, taking the most scenic path to the Central Mall. Along the way, Anya pointed out all the sights in the city that she could, starting with the local library that they entered and explored for a short while. Like at the dog park, she and Isaac mostly watched while their daughters had fun in the fiction section. While Anya mostly read and picked up books about spies and assassins (making Yor nervously sweat a little), Sari seemed more interested in science fiction books (which for some reason made Isaac appear almost wistful). Even still, it was a delight watching the two girls share in each other's interest, trading books, giggling in joy at what they were reading, even recommending comics for one another.

Although, Anya's already been developing such interests as of late, Yor fondly recalled how a movie called The Day the Earth Stood Still played on TV while she was searching for the channel where Spy Wars usually played. She was quite enthralled by the movie, so much so that rather than change to her favorite show, she just kept watching it, even when Loid told her that it was past her bedtime. Anya was too caught up in the film to listen, as was Bond, and adorably, when Loid moved to turn the TV off himself, even he was swept up in watching alongside them. Yor couldn't explain why, and when she tried to get invested, the movie just couldn't draw her attention, but seeing the others so enthralled was enough for her. By the time it was over, Anya was asleep in her father's arms while Bond nuzzled at their side, leaving Yor to carry them to their respective rooms.

I suppose that's just part of being a parent no matter the child, Yor presumed, remembering how often Yuri showed her all the new things he loved learning. Even the gross, icky things like… ugh, insects, Indulging a child's interests even if you can't understand them.

"Say, Anya," Sari began, with Anya slowing down the skipping to walk beside her, "You said something at the library about an "Eden" school, right?"

"Yup! Anya goes to Eden Academy!" She proudly declared.

"What's that like?" Sari asked, tilting her head.

Anya huffed and slumped her arms, "It's really, really hard! Too much stuff to keep up with and it gives me a headache."

"Do you… have any friends? A-At school, I mean."

"Uh…" Anya scratched her head, "I have Becky. She's my friend."

Sari smiled sadly, staring down at the concrete, "That sounds nice. Getting to go to school, making friends, I mean."

"Miss Sari, you've never been to school?" Yor asked, getting a head shake from daughter and father.

"No. With all the moving around we had to do, there was never an opportunity to enroll Sari in any schools. I've had to home school her instead," Isaac admitted, Yor picking up on a hint of shame in his voice.

That poor man, Yor's heart went out to both of them. It was quite clear that Isaac regretted being unable to provide Sari with the opportunities she and Loid could give for Anya, even though it wasn't his fault. All this travel must have taken a toll on both of them. Part of her wanted to suggest to possibility of helping the Sumdacs by getting Sari into Eden. After all, she had enough from her work as Thorn Princess to easily cover the funding, Sari seemed more than bright enough to make the cut like Anya had, and it would allow the new friends to spend even more time with each other. Everyone wins!

But that can't happen, unfortunately, Yor huffed to herself, remembering why that was impossible. Eden was a highly traditional school that only allowed children of nuclear families: Father, mother, and no more than three children. As Isaac was a single father raising his only daughter, the Sumdacs wouldn't be able to apply. Still, there are a number of public schools in Berlint, Yor pondered the possible options. Though her own time in public school, especially high school, was miserable, that didn't mean Sari's had to be. She could take the time with Loid and look to find which one would be the most accommodating and accepting towards someone like her. It'll be just like the research that the Garden does on our targets… uh, minus the killing of course.

Unless whatever they found out about the teachers made them deserving of a knife to the throat.

"Hey, maybe Mama and Papa can help you find a school here?" Anya suggested helpfully to Sari, "If you and your papa want to live here, there's plenty of schools you can go to. Bet you'll make a lot of friends too!"

It's like you read my mind, Anya, Yor thought, bemused and happy that she and her daughter were thinking the exact same thing. Though for some reason, Anya froze up and started walking a lot more rigidly. Sari, on the other hand, gained a brighter glint in her eyes, her smile less sad, yet a bit scared at the same time.

"I-I don't know. I don't think I want that many friends," Sari admitted, scratching at the back of her head, "I don't know what I'd even do with a lot of friends. I'd be fine with just a few."

"Oh. I guess I'm fine with just a few too," Anya said, patting Bond on the head, "I got Becky and Bond, and I have you too!"

"Really?" Sari asked, shocked at Anya's declaration of their friendship. But the moment Anya nodded, she let out a cheer and jumped before hugging her. Just as quickly as she did, however, she let go and hugged Bond, keeping both instances of contact brief.

She probably doesn't want to risk anything with her strength, Yor thought, listening to Isaac chuckle happily as the girls kept ahead, both of them having an almost march-like rhythm to their walking. It always brought a warmth to her heart seeing Anya connect with others, even if such instances were extremely rare. While she made a strong friendship with Becky at Eden, and she was at least trying to make friends with Damian, that seemed to be where friendship began and ended with her. Outside of those two, she focused exclusively on her schoolwork and studies (or at least, she tried to) and didn't show much interest in forming other bonds. It's almost like the most important thing was making her father proud, just like… huh.

I guess she and Yuri also have that in common. It's actually a surprise they don't get along, Yor giggled with just a tinge of melancholy. However, she stopped upon noticing her daughter giving her a very flat glare, Why is Anya looking at me like that? Was it something I said?

The moment that thought crossed her mind, Anya's face grew shocked and afraid before turning and continuing the walk ahead. She continued pointing out the sights and places to Sari, who listened with rapt attention, and Isaac, who occasionally nodded and asked further questions like… well, a scientist. Anya did her best to answer, though it was mostly describing previous outings (or "ootings", as Anya put it) that their family had taken to these places, and she kept stumbling on some of the words. Not that Yor or the Sumdacs minded, adorable as it was. Still, her daughter did look like she could use a little help describing these places.

Though I doubt I'd be much help there, Unfortunately, despite having lived and worked in this city for over a decade, Yor knew very little of its history, even the ones Loid explained. It was too much to keep up with, and she had a much easier time recognizing places based on whom she fought there, how many crooks and terrorists she'd killed, and how many bloodstains and broken limbs she spent hours upon hours cleaning up and hiding away. Yor though back to some of her earliest assassinations in Berlint, how sloppy she'd been in leaving the bodies behind. It's a good thing the Garden was there to watch my back and teach me, otherwise I would've been caught in no… time… Feeling sets of eyeballs on her, Yor saw that the outing/tour had stopped again, this time everyone looking between her and Anya. Seeing that her daughter was staring flatly at her, not glaring (thankfully), but staring, she was left wondering, Is there something on my face? Why does Anya keep giving me these looks?

And then her mind started to spiral, Oh no! Is she angry? Does she hate me now? Did I do something wrong? I wasn't doing anything other than just following her lead. What kind of mother am I if I upset my daughter just by being here? What do I do? What do I-

Suddenly, she felt a small hand holding hers and looked to see Anya, who was smiling again. There was an almost apologetic glint in her eyes, which was odd, as she had nothing to apologize for, nor was there any reason for her to feel like she did. "Mama, I'm tired," Anya said, letting go and holding her hands up to be carried, "Can you lead the ooting, please?"

… Oh…

So that's why Anya was looking at me that way. She was just tired, Yor supposed it made sense. Exhaustion sometimes made people cranky, after all. She couldn't even begin to count the number of times she'd woken up on the wrong side of bed and just wanted to go back to sleep. Those had usually been after taking up an entire night and then some of assassin work, and that didn't even account for the one time she was shot in the butt. Having to focus all her energy on suppressing the pain of that wound put her in a fit the entire day. She still felt bad for not being able to enjoy all the fun things Loid set up for the date that followed.

But that was then. No bullets or wounds in unfortunate places to keep her from enjoying the day with her daughter. Especially now that they'd both made some new friends to enjoy it with. "Of course," She said, picking Anya up before looking to the Sumdacs and Bond with a renewed smile, "Follow me. We're almost to the mall."

Seeing them smile back, Yor continued ahead, Anya in tow as they rounded a corner, walking past people going about their day, cars and trolleys on the streets.

But then she felt it, and her heart stopped.

This… this is…

That same bloodlust from before, that same maliciousness aimed everywhere that slowly funneled itself into a single direction, and all of it pointed squarely at them. Knowing who this was, Yor froze in place, getting a feel for where the sensation was coming from. She found herself ignoring Anya and Isaac's sudden calls for concern, Bond's barks, and Sari pulling at the hem of her overcoat. Instead, she slowly turned her head,

Those two again, Yor leveled a dark look at the SSS patrol car peaking just around a faraway corner, which drove straight away and out of sight just one second after she noticed it. Even out of sight, Yor could still feel their killing intent, telling her they were likely keeping close. Out of sight and afar, but never too far. Within her arms, she felt Anya freeze up, forcing her attention away from their stalker for now, "S-Sorry about that." Yor held Anya close, gently rubbing her back before looking at the Sumdacs reassuringly, "I thought I saw something, but it's nothing. I guess my eyes were playing tricks on me."

Sari and Bond didn't seem all that convinced, though Isaac accepted her lie, sighing in relief, "Thank goodness. With how you froze up, you had us all worried."

"Y-Yeah, but like I said. It was nothing. No need to worry." I need to get us out of here right now! Once everyone else is inside, I'll stay out and scare them off again. "Anyway, the Central Mall?"

Yor walked ahead again, staying close enough to everyone that she'd be able to protect them, all while keeping her senses open for that eerie patrol car and its officers.

Thankfully, they arrived at the mall's front entrance quickly enough, Sari staring up at the building in awe while Bond sat beside her, wagging his tail.

"I take it that Sari doesn't get to visit many malls," Yor asked, forcing a smile onto her face despite her every sense going off like an alarm.

"No. I wish that were different. She certainly loves places like this," Isaac smiled at his daughter's excitement, "Especially when they have arcades."

"Oh, Anya loves those too!" Yor said with false cheer, surprised that her daughter wasn't chiming in. Looking at her, she saw that Anya's focus kept switching left and right at the streets behind them, as if she was worried over something. Did she see the Secret Police car too? Not wanting her friends and family in any more danger, she placed her daughter down and patted her head, "Alright Anya, you go on ahead inside. I'll be right with you in a bit. First, there's some… business that I need to take care of.

Hopefully, it wouldn't be that kind of business.

"What kind of business?" Sari asked.

"Oh, I uh… I need to…" Come on Yor, thinkthinkthink! What's a good excuse that won't tell them we're being stalked by the Secret Police?

Before she could tell them that she saw a scary ghost chasing after them, Anya asked, "Mama, are you gonna call Papa at work again?"

"Huh?"

Amidst Yor's confusion, Anya turned to the Sumdacs, "Mama calls Papa at work a lot. They love each other so much!"

"Daw!" Sari cooed and Isaac smiled, leaving Yor even more confused. Why was Anya lying?

"… but I've never called Loid while he's a-I MEAN, yes! I uh, need to call my husband," Yor stuttered and faced Isaac, "Could you please take care of Anya until I get back. It shouldn't take too long. I believe I saw a phone booth on the way here." I just need five minutes alone with those Secret Policemen, then it's back to spending time with family and friends.

That last thought gave her a hum of warmth despite current circumstances. Growing up, Yor never had much in the way of friends, always so focused on taking care of Yuri by any means necessary (mostly by killing and getting paid to kill). Even though she had her current friendships with Camilla, Millie, and Sharon at City Hall, it always felt like there was this barrier preventing it from feeling true. Perhaps it was her own fault for putting up so many walls to keep her double life hidden, or perhaps it was because their status as co-workers meant they had to be friends out of necessity rather than choice. Yor wasn't sure if she'd ever figure out what the true reason was.

Yet recently, between Franky, Mikaela, Martha, and now the Sumdacs, her circle of what felt like true friendships had been growing more and more. And she intended to protect them just as ardently as she did her family, starting with getting rid of their current stalker.

"Of course," Isaac nodded, holding out his hand for Sari to take. The girl happily did so, and the two followed after Anya and Bond, who took the lead and ran ahead. They entered the mall, Anya holding the door open to let the Sumdacs in before looking at her.

"Hey Mama! I know you don't really need it, but good luck!" Anya gave her a thumbs up before heading inside.

"What was that about?" Yor murmured, not sure why Anya was wishing her luck for a phone call. Sure, when it came to the idea of certain… activities with her husband, she could turn into an absolute mess who could barely form a coherent thought, but phone calls were never one of them. Which begged the question, Why did Anya lie about that?

But she wasn't given time to think about it. Not even a few seconds after they went inside, she heard the sounds of a car slow down and stop behind her, that chilling presence from before making itself known. Eyes darkening, Yor turned around and glared at the Secret Police patrol car, briefly looking left and right to see that there were few people around, and those few were quickly leaving the area once they became aware of the patrol car's presence.

Good, Yor nodded to herself. While it meant that the SSS would have no witnesses to their actions if they took any, it also meant Yor had the same should things get messy. Though she sincerely hoped they didn't. Much as there was no love lost between her and the SSS, she'd rather avoid killing any of them, given how doing so would potentially paint a target on the backs of both her and her loved ones. Even if she and The Garden took extra care to ensure all traces of the bodies were never found, officers going missing put the organization on high alert, and that carried too many risks of their eyes discovering them.

Just try to keep this as civil as possible, Yor, Taking a step forward, she tightened her fist and tapped it against the glass, holding back as much as possible to avoid shattering it.

In her restrained rage, she was almost certain she failed, yet the glass remained undamaged.

Looks like the SSS spare no expense, Yor would give them that much. They were cautious in the areas where it mattered most for doing their job. She even hit this very same car on the hood, yet there was no visible damage. As the window began to roll down, it took all of Yor's self-control to avoid doubling back in disgust, a familiar scent assaulting her nostrils.

Blood and charred flesh.

She looked inside and saw a single SSS officer at the steering wheel on the opposite end. His head turned to her and smiled, yet it felt so… empty: A facade masking something far more sinister. Yor had seen it on many of humanity's worst scum, she'd twisted those same smiled into terror for their own lives, and she'd made sure it was the last face they ever made.

Yor knew that this scent hadn't been there before, getting a brief whiff of the car's interior when the officers opened it back at the dog park. So, either they killed someone in petty anger over her defending Sari (with the other officer hiding still hiding the body), or this singular officer did something to his partner. Neither painted a pretty picture, so she'd make this quick.

I'll be peaceful now, but remember your face for later, Yor hadn't been expecting to kill anyone before her big cruise assignment, but she couldn't let this monster walk away with his crimes, Secret Police or not. As she bent down slightly and spoke with an even tone, "Excuse me, officer, but I believe I told you and your partner to leave Miss Sari alone, did I not?" Instead of answering, the officer remained quiet, yet his lip curved upward. Almost like Yor said something funny. Feeling her anger rise, Yor stifled it and asked, "Why are you following us?"

Once more, he said nothing, but bore a vicious glare of his own as he pointed to the hood of the car, exactly where Yor had hit it. "That's it?" Yor glared at him, "You go from harassing an innocent child to stalking us just because I damaged your car?" Truly, there's no depth to how petty you people can be.

He shook his head, his smile maintaining its amused appearance while refusing to say anything. Instead, he leaned forward against the steering wheel, just glaring at her lazily, almost like he was mocking her. Yor's anger rose again, almost reaching out to grab him by the collar of his uniform, but she clenched her fist and stopped herself. She was being baited, and though she wasn't sure why, she refused to fall for it. Turning around, she growled, "You'll leave us alone. If you don't, I'll find you. And trust me, I'll know exactly where to look."

But just as she began walking for the mall…

"Yor Briar. Sister of Yuri Briar. Conjunx Endura of Loid Forger."

Yor gasped and turned, facing the SSS officer, who now had a look of revulsion on his face.

"H-How did… what is a-"

"Tell me where the Autobot is, or you will die. Slowly." The officer demanded with all the blunt force of a sledgehammer to someone's rib cage. His glare at her was so loathsome, the revulsion on his face only growing, like he wished he could kill her with just a look. It was almost as if he scorned the very idea of talking to her, to anyone, at all.

The way this officer talks… it's the same voice as before, but almost like someone else is speaking for him. What was wrong with him? What on Earth was an Autobot? Or a "Conjunx Endura" for that matter? What was going on?

Apparently, she took too much time thinking about these questions for the officer's taste, as he looked behind her, to Central Mall, and smiled. It wasn't empty anymore, nor was it amused. It was filled with malice as he sneered, "Perhaps your offspring knows more than you do. So, organic, tell me where the Autobot is, or she's next."

In that instant, Yor saw red, and all questions she had were thrown away. It didn't matter what they or their answers were. All she knew was that he threatened her daughter.

And that was enough.

Within an instant, she blitzed to the car and all but leapt through the window, hands poised to reach around his throat so she could-

W-What the… Yor's mind screeched to a halt. Her hands didn't make contact with the officer's neck.

They went right through him.

The rest of her body followed suit as she crashed face first into the opposite door. She picked herself up, now seeing her hands and body going right through the officer as she quickly backed away.

I-Is this man a g-ghost!? Yor reeled back in terror, hitting the closed window of car and realizing too late that she was trapped. Just as quickly, the seat belt flew out and strapped her in place next to the ghoul, who faded away like static.

"What's happening!?" Yor asked, having never felt this kind of fear before as she desperately struggled to break free. Suddenly, the car lurched forward, driving off at high speeds. She could only look back at the mall, her daughter, dog, and friends now further and further behind.

Following his owner and her friends, Bond sniffed at the air. He could smell so many different things – Fresh food, new clothes, plastics, and perfumes – that burned and delighted his nose. Anya was excited, and so far ahead of them. Her new friend, Sari, ran to keep up, Isaac calling out for them to slow down before picking up the pace himself.

Bond would've joined, but the smell of fresh meat called to him. His belly rumbled and he made his way to a food stand with an umbrella. Getting behind it and the person cooking, he tried to get on his tip toes for a better look, and hopefully for a better chance at some delicious meat.

The cook, a woman, saw him, and smiled, "Oh hi there! Are you lost, big guy?" She grabbed a piece of meat on a stick and knelt down, "Here. It's on the house."

Bond happily barked and took bites, delighted at the taste until there was nothing left. It wasn't as good as Mr. Forger's hamburger steak, but nothing was. Must have been because he worked so hard to spear pigs and deliver fresh meat for the family. The woman smiled at Bond again, giving him head pats like Anya loved to do, before returning to cooking more meat.

Hunger satisfied, Bond left the stand to look for Anya but found that she and the others were gone. Bond scratched behind his ear, a little annoyed that they went without him, but not too bothered. He could still pick up their scent from here, even with all the other smells in the place. He took his first step to go find them-

The mother, Yor was struggling. She held back a giant foot made of metal with her bare hands, back against the ground with teeth grit. Attempting to crush her was a large machine, so much like Bumblebee and yet so different. Its metal armor was as black as the night sky, eyes glowing red as it looked down on Yor, hand shifting into a buzzsaw. The machine man smiled and brought the blade down, bloodcurdling screams filling the air.

-only to stand frozen, his head perking up in horror at what he'd just seen. Mrs. Forger was in trouble! He started for where he could trace Anya, paws pattering against the floor, but stopped and thought about it. He didn't know when or where the fight was going to happen, and he didn't know if he could go get Anya, warn her, take her along, and help her mom in time. Mrs. Forger hadn't come back yet, so for all he knew, she was fighting that thing right now. And it wasn't like he could just call up the vision again to show it to Anya since his powers didn't work like that.

He didn't really know how his powers worked anyway. He really wished he did.

But he needed to do something. For now, Anya could wait. Mrs. Forger couldn't.

Running as fast as his paws could carry him, me made it back to the front entrance and out the door, rushing past a few people who got out of his way. Some of them were knocked over, but he paid that, and their yelling, no mind right now. He didn't see Mrs. Forger, and he didn't see any robots. Sad and scared, he started smelling around to try and find her, picking up something as he lowered his nose to the floor. He sniffed ahead, walking up to where the road met the sidewalk, and raised his head.

Bond barked again, picking up a mix of startling smells. First there was Mrs. Forger's boots, her coat, then metal and blood and something burnt. It all made Bond bristle and shake, his fluffy white fur standing upright. Not wasting time, he ran after that scent, picking up its trail while it was still fresh.

"Hey Anya, where's Bond?"

"Eh? What do you mean? He's right…" Anya pointed behind them, only to see that Bond wasn't there anymore, "Huh? Where did he go? "Bond!" She began calling out to him, "Bond! Where are you!?"

She was starting to draw attention from other people in the mall. She could hear a bit of whispering, but mostly their thoughts. Some of it was sympathetic to how she lost her dog, but others just wanted her to shut up. Anya wanted to glare at them for being big meanies, but she was too worried about Bond. And now that she thought about it, Mama scaring away those Secret Police jerks was taking longer than she thought it would.

Are they okay? Anya wondered, scared for both of them until there was a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Mr. Sumdac. His eyes reminded her a lot of Papa's, all the kindness and concern, but none of his usual super serious sternness.

She wondered if this was what Papa would look like without that spy mask he always wore.

"If you want, perhaps we could go look for him?" He asked, noticing Sari's disappointment and hastily adding, "If it takes too long, we can always come back to the mall at a different time."

Sari seemed a bit more at ease after that, nodding towards Anya, Okay. I mean, Bond seems really important to her, so I guess we should find him first. Wish I could have a pet dog like that.

Anya was about to point to where she felt they should start looking, but Sari's disappointment over the mall trip being sorta canceled kept her from doing that. If Anya was being honest, she really wanted to have fun at the mall too, and she didn't want to make her new friend sad. That would ruin things, Sari wouldn't want to be friends anymore, and that meant her happy ending would be ruined too. Plus, if there was one thing Anya really wanted, it was to be friends with the super cool robot girl!

It was kinda like being friends with Bumblebee, but without the whole "giant car that can't reveal himself" part.

So, Anya shook her head, "No, it's fine. I-I'm sure Bond's okay. He's run off and come back before." There was that time he ran off and helped Papa with one of his missions. "I think he just went to go and find Mama." She couldn't help but clutch at her arm just thinking about it though. Bond and Mama were the bestest and toughest dog and woman on the planet, so they could handle any trouble they got into. But something about it this time gave her a sinking feeling. I don't know why though.

"In that case, if you're sure, where would you both like to go first?" Mr. Sumdac asked, smiling kindly as he started looking around, his daughter now having a toothy grin that Anya quickly matched, mostly to hide her worries.

"How about…" Sari searched the nearby stores just out of sight before something caught her eye with a gasp. She ran over to it, avoiding people walking about, and pointed, "Look! Let's see in here!"

Anya ran to catch up, Mr. Sumdac far (but not too far) behind. When she was at Sari's side, Anya looked up to the store's sign, which read "Toys 4 U" in bright rainbow letters. She'd been inside the toy store before, the last time being when she was distracted from spying on Mama and Papa's date (when Mama had a bullet in her butt), meaning she didn't get to buy any new toys since Uncle Scruffy had to grab her before they lost her parents. Maybe she'd be able to find something new here? Plus, she'd get to show Sari around and they could buy stuff together!

"Race you inside!" Anya zoomed ahead, even with Mr. Sumdac telling them to slow down. Sari easily ran ahead of her, both of them giggling as she entered one of the aisles of the very loud, very large toy store. Anya did her best to keep up, bumping into a few people and kids that were checking out all kinds of toys and play sets. This place is really packed today, Anya felt a headache come on, all the thoughts barging at once to the point where she couldn't understand any of them. Stopping, she closed her eyes and clutched at her ears, trying to shut them out. It didn't take too long, thankfully, but after she'd finished, she opened her eyes and asked, "Where's Sari?"

"Sari! Anya!" Mr. Sumdac's voice called out to them as he bumped into the others in the aisle, following each with, "Excuse me. Pardon me. I apologize, I just need to find-" His eyes locked with Anya and he sighed in relief, "Good to see you're alright, Anya." He looked around, "But where's Sari?" Anya shrugged and Mr. Sumdac called out again, "Sari!? Where are you?"

"Sari!" Anya called out too, noticing that they were getting some looks. So, she ran out of the aisle and looked left and right down a series of other large aisles. It was kind of like a grocery store, but with toys, toys, and more toys. She would've continued looking, but then she heard Mr. Sumdac sigh.

"I suppose running off twice in one day is tame by her standards," He said just as they both saw Sari run down the aisles in an almost red and black blur, "Still, I would prefer that we stay close."

"Mama and Papa don't like it when I run away either," Anya remembered all the time she'd ran off. Sure, she got almost kidnapped once or twice because of it but running off also helped her parents save the day sometimes, so she didn't regret anything.

Mr. Sumdac chuckled, "You both are two of a kind in that regard." Anya giggled again. He was right, since they were a psychic and a robot, but that made her wonder something. Was Sari keeping it a secret like Anya was with her parents? She wasn't able to think about it for long, since Mr. Sumdac started walking ahead, "Now, I believe she went this way. If I know my daughter, she's probably looking for where they have the robot toys."

Just like me and Bondman! "Sari really likes robots, huh?" Anya asked as she caught up.

Mr. Sumdac nodded and started looking down the aisles as they passed by, "Yes, they've always been her favorite." It's also her way of trying to understand herself.

So Mr. Sumdac does know Sari's a robot! Anya gasped a little, seeing a small memory of Sari and her dad. It looked like he was sitting down with her while she held out her hands that seemed to come apart. Black and blue circuits showed between the skin as energy sparked within her hands. Mr. Sumdac looked pretty surprised Sari was able to do that, leaving Anya a bit confused. Didn't he build her? How did he not know what kind of cool abilities he gave her?

"Mr. Sumdac? Can I ask something?"

"What is it?"

"Where's Sari's mama?"

"Oh! Uh, she's… no longer with us I'm afraid," Mr. Sumdac said just a little too fast. Anya didn't even need her powers to tell he was lying, especially as he continued, "Though I ask you not bring this up with Sari. She's rather sensitive about it." After all, knowing that you never had a mother in the first place isn't the easiest thing to come to terms with.

Suddenly, Anya was hit with another memory, this time of what looked like a super cool, super huge science lab. Mr. Sumdac, hair without the white streak in it, was wearing a white lab coat and goggles with a bunch of scientists, all of them staring at a giant metal thingy covered in rock and stone, other people in safety gear trying to remove as much of it as possible. The more they got rid of, the more it looked like a-

Is that a spaceship!? Anya was in wonder at what she was seeing. The image shifted to Mr. Sumdac and the other scientists entering the large ship, soldiers surrounding them as they explored. Then it shifted again to a different part of the ship, looking like they were in a room with a bunch of giant, empty pods, except one that had a body inside. It looked almost like it was made of some kind of… liquid metal? Could metal even be liquid? From what Anya saw at Becky's family factory, the answer seemed like a yes, but she wasn't sure.

Before she could ask any other questions, she saw the memory continue with Mr. Sumdac placing a hand against the pod, only for it to shock and knock him back. Then when he woke up, he had a white streak in his hair and walked out of the ship with the other scientists and soldiers. His lab coat was now off and wrapped around a small, crying bundle in his arms with glowing blue eyes and a tuft of red hair on her head. As they exited, Mr. Sumdac looked at the spaceship one last time, his eyes landing on the faded, but proudly displayed symbol on it. Anya recognized it as the same symbol on Bumblebee's steering wheel, which could only mean one thing…

"SARI'S AN AUTOBOOT!?" Anya exclaimed, only to clamp her mouth shut again, Why do I keep doing that!?

That was twice in one day!

"A… I'm sorry, what did you just call my daughter?"

"I'm a what now?" Sari's voice came in from behind, Anya turning to see her run up to them, a toy in her hands.

Is that some sort of insult? Mr. Sumdac's thoughts sounded a bit mad, and even Sari wasn't sure whether or not to be offended, but Anya waved her hands quickly.

"A-An Autoboot! It's a… a word I made up! It means…" Come on! Thinkthinkthink! "S-Someone who's really cool?"

"…" That makes sense, I suppose. "I apologize, for a second, I thought it was an insult," Mr. Sumdac said, his thoughts more easygoing as Anya sighed in relief.

Sari also seemed happier as she poked her shoulder, making Anya face her, "So, I'm an… Autoboot? That's what you said, right? That means I'm cool?"

"Yeah. It means you're cool!" After all, Bumblebee's one, and he's one of the coolest things Anya had ever seen.

Still getting used to someone thinking I'm cool. But is Anya thinks I'm cool, I guess that means I'm cool, Sari smiled happily and looked down at the toy in her hands. Anya got a little closer to get a better look.

"What's that?" She asked, staring at what looked like a silver toy robot wrapped in plastic and cardboard. The legs looked like they had jet wings and engines built in, and the head had an orange visor.

"This guy?" Sari brimmed with excitement and held up the robot, "It's Leader-1 from my favorite show: Challenge of the GoBots! He's an alien robot warrior from the planet Gobotron fighting the evil forces of the Renegades!"

That sounds familiar, Anya stifled a laugh, wondering how Bumblebee would react to that kind of show just as Sari asked her dad if she could buy it.

"I'm not sure, Sari. We do need to be careful with how we spend money here," Mr. Sumdac explained and thought, I need to work on finding a job first and ensure our livelihood here is stable enough. I was barely able to earn enough funds for the apartment room as it was.

Sari's face fell and she sadly looked down at the action figure. She really, really wanted to buy it, but understood why she couldn't. Anya didn't like seeing her so sad and got an idea, "Hey! What if me and Mama bought it for you?"

The Sumdacs looked at her, Sari wide eyed and happy while her dad seemed on the fence, "I don't know, Anya. I'm not sure if we should be asking too much of your family. Sure, it's just a toy, but-"

"But Dad! She's offering and I really want it! Pleeaaaaase?" Sari begged and held the toy close. She even did the same face Anya did to beg Papa and Mama for stuff. In no time, Mr. Sumdac caved in.

"Okay, I suppose that so long as it isn't too much trouble for the Forgers, we can buy it."

"YES!" Sari jumped up and hugged her, "Thank you so much, Anya!"

Anya hugged back, doing her very best not to wince in pain. It felt like her face was turning blue and her eyes were about to pop out of her skull. Thankfully, Sari let her go with an apologetic look, realizing what was happening. Not liking how sad she looked, Anya pointed to the other aisles, "Wanna go see the other toys? If you see something else, I can ask Mama to buy it too." After saying that though, Anya's worries went up, even as she tried to force a smile. Is she still talking to those Secret Police jerks? Did she have to kill them? Is she hiding the bodies?

Knowing Mama, she probably was, though if Bond really did go off to help her…

Suddenly, she felt Sari pull at her hand and drag her to look at what else they could find. Anya regained her balance and tried to keep pace with a yelp. Things became a blur as they slowed down and found themselves in an aisle filled with plush toys and figures from girly shows, some of which Anya saw maybe once or twice. She remembered reading Becky's mind and saw that she owned almost everything in this aisle.

I'll worry about Mama and Bond later, Anya told herself, even if it didn't really help. Shaking her worries off, she looked and saw that they'd left Mr. Sumdac behind again, leaving them with the few people in the aisle. "Should we wait for Mr. Sumdac?" Anya asked, looking at a cute plush dog that kinda reminded her of Bond. But since she was trying to avoid worrying about Bond, she ignored it. Instead, she kept talking and walking, "Sari?"

Sari wasn't listening, too busy gazing at all the dolls to pay Anya any mind. She picked out a cute, plush, purple dragon with green, spiky plates on its back. I remember seeing some of these a few years back. Wish I could've gotten them back then. They're just so cute! She blinked, realizing Anya was staring at her and asked, "Did you say something, Anya?"

"I was asking if we should wait for your papa."

Sari blinked again and saw that her dad wasn't anywhere to be found. If it was taking him a bit longer to find them, Anya figured Sari must've brought them here with some kind of robot super speed. Even Sari picked up on that and said, "Uh, yeah. Let's sit down and wait a bit."

Anya nodded and the two took a seat side-by-side, some grownups and kids walking past them, asking and talking about stuff she didn't find interesting. After what felt like a couple minutes – Anya had no sense of time – she asked, "Should we go look for him instead? The store's pretty big." And my powers would make it easier.

"We could, but I'm sure he'll find us," Sari answered.

"You are?"

Sari nodded back and looked up at the ceiling, "Yeah. I mean, I love running around and exploring wherever we go. There's always so many cool things to see. But my dad, he-" She tried to find the words, a small smile on her lips, "No matter how far I go, or how lost I get, he's always found me. He's always been there when I need him. He's always…"

Sari lost the words, and Anya saw a small memory. She saw Sari running past people in a panic, lost and afraid in a city where the buildings looked like they could touch the sky. Suddenly, she heard Mr. Sumdac's voice yell out amidst the loud, bustling crowd, Sari's head turning left and right to try and get a glimpse of him. The robot girl managed to see him through the crowd, still calling her name as she ran to him. Midway, he saw her too, running to hug her tight as Sari hugged back, tears beginning to fall. The entire memory made Anya happy, reminding her a little of when her own papa rescued her for the first time.

Only without the bad guys. Or the disguises. Or the silencer pistol and smokescreen.

"What?" Sari asked, seeing the look Anya was giving her. Even though she was caught, Anya just kept smiling.

"You have a good papa. He cares about you a lot."

Sari smiled again, chin to her knees as she looked down at her hand, "Thanks. He's probably the only person I know for sure that accepts me for what-I mean, who, I am. Even if I get into trouble a lot."

Anya couldn't help but feel her smile drop just a little bit. Not a lot, but a little. Something about what Sari said gave her this weird feeling, like she had heartburn from when Unkie was around, but not as bad.

Anya didn't know what it was, but she didn't like it.

Sari's really lucky, Anya huffed to herself, not sure why the question popped in her mind. Sure, Sari had cool robot powers that let her do stuff like Mama and didn't give her any headaches. And sure, Sari got to go and travel the world, having her own adventures while Anya was stuck in Berlint and Eden Academy, the closest thing she had being the upcoming vacation where her mama would be busy with assassin bodyguarding stuff. And sure, Sari had a Papa who knew her big secret from the day they met, loving and accepting her without any problems and… and…

Why does Sari get to have those things? Anya looked away from the other girl, lost in her own little world. Sari had everything, the biggest being a parent who wouldn't reject her for her powers. Would Papa and Mama still love her if she told them she was psychic? Sure, what she saw in Bond's vision gave her some hope for that, but she had no idea if they knew the truth about her or each other by then. If she ever told them, or if they ever found out on their own, would it destroy any chance of that future happening?

Why can't I have what Sari has?

"There you both are!" The two of them looked up and saw Mr. Sumdac running towards them, Sari getting up first hugging him briefly, "Did you find anything else you wanted from here?" Sari nodded and held out the plush dragon alongside her Leader-1 figure. Her dad then faced Anya and asked, "And what about you?"

"No, I didn't see anything," Anya lied. There was one thing she wanted.

It just wasn't something money could ever get her.

"We can keep looking around. I think I saw some Spy Wars stuff somewhere around here."

"Really?" Anya gasped in excitement. She hadn't seen or gotten any toys for the series yet. Plenty of books (a lot of which she owned) and a poster, but no toys. I gotta have one! "Let's go see them!"

"Alright, but let's try to stay in a group this time," Mr. Sumdac said as they started walking, Sari leading the way, "Anya, if I may ask, do your mother's phone calls with your father usually last this long?"

"Uh… yes! I mean, m-maybe? I think?"

"… well, perhaps she's already finished and simply trying to find where we are." I'm sure Mrs. Forger will find us here soon. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders.

Only sometimes, Mr. Sumdac, Anya couldn't help but flatly look ahead, reminded of everything that went through her mama's mind. Whenever she wasn't thinking of bloody, murdery ultra-violence, Mama's thoughts were always so… weird. Sometimes she was easy for Anya to understand, and other times she was harder to read than Papa. Sometimes her thoughts were funny, and then there were the moments that made Anya wonder if all super assassins were like this.

Anya loved Mama, but she confused her. A lot.

Right as they were about to enter the next aisle, Anya's eyes landed on something just to her right. Rubbing them to make sure she saw correctly, they went wide at the very large toy horsey. It was just as big as Bond, had a cream-colored coat, a light orange mane, and a horn that repeated pink and magenta colors. The unicorn was under a sign that read "Powdered Sugar", and under that was "Limited Edition" and other descriptions, one of which said it had a "Rainbow Blaster".

"Whoah…" Anya breathed out and approached the Powdered Sugar figure.

"What is it?" Sari asked, now at her side with Mr. Sumdac behind them.

"Dunno. But I want it!" Anya imagined herself riding Powdered Sugar and racing side by side with her dog. Sure, the unicorn didn't seem to have any wheels, but she'd figure that part out later. She reached out to try and pick up the box, hoping it wasn't too heavy.

"Move it. She's mine!"

Suddenly, she was pushed aside and knocked face first to the floor.

"Oowwww…"

"Anya! Are you okay?" Sari asked, her and Mr. Sumdac helping her up as she rubbed her forehead.

"Mommy, daddy, can you please help me with this?" Asked the voice that pushed her down.

"Of course, Penny," Came the mother's answer just as Anya stopped rubbing at her bruise and looked their way. She saw a girl with bright red, long hair wearing a pretty dress patterned in pink and black stripes, as well as black shoes with pink hearts on the front. The girl happily watched her dad put Powdered Sugar in a shopping cart already filled to the brim with expensive looking dolls and play sets.

Angry at getting pushed, Anya stood up and stomped to the girl, "Hey, you dumb jerk! I was gonna get that!"

The girl, Penelope, turned to her and glared. "Yeah? I got it first." She said, Anya seeing a gap in her front teeth, "Besides, you don't deserve to have something as cute and cool as a life-sized Powdered Sugar. Now buzz off, horn head!"

"… you're gonna say sorry, or I'm gonna punch you in the face," Anya warned Penelope, eye twitched and fist clenching. She glared at the bully with a fire in her eyes she hadn't felt since punching Sy-On boy in the face.

Good times.

"Ooooh, so scary," Penelope didn't look threatened in the least, though her mind wondered, Why does this loser look familiar?

"How dare you threaten my daughter, you ruffian!" Penelope's dad glared down at Anya. She only spared him a glance before going back to glaring at Penelope.

"Your daughter's the one who pushed my friend!" Sari fired back, standing by Anya's side with grit teeth.

"She definitely deserved it if she's hanging out with you. Look at you!" She pointed at the Leader-1 action figure in Sari's hand, "What kind of girl plays with awful, violent boy stuff?"

"Ugh," The mother's face contorted in disgust, "Let's just go, Penelope. We don't need to waste our time with these plebeians."

Anya had no idea what that word meant, but she hated it.

"Excuse me, but I don't take kindly to anyone who insults my daughter. Please take it back," Mr. Sumdac said, his voice sounding scarily stern. Anya looked up at him, seeing a glare in his eyes that rivaled Papa's. His hand was clenched into a fist and the grownups got into a glare off. Anya could almost see the angry lightning clashing between their eyes.

Seriously? Where have I seen her before? And why is her hair pink? Penelope thought, dragging Anya's attention back to the jerk as she and Sari glared at her, just like the adults. Lucky loser, getting pink hair. Wish I had pink- She cut her thoughts off and blinked, Wait, pink hair? I know her! "You're that Cecil Hall girl who punched Desmond!"

Now Anya was blinking in confusion, "Wait how do you know that? Are you at Eden too?"

"Penelope Sutton. Cline Hall," Penelope said with an annoying smirk.

… oh, Anya remembered now. Cline Hall was run by that big fat bully, Mister Swan. That explains so much.

"Goodness, that poor boy," Her dad looked at Anya in surprise, "Eden's standards must have fallen quite low if they allowed such a disrespectful little girl in."

"Perhaps Housemaster Henderson took pity on her? She certainly doesn't seem very bright," Penelope's mother picked up her daughter, "Regardless, let's go, my dear. You shouldn't have to spend so much time with troublemakers."

"Indeed," Mr. Sutton grabbed the cart full of toys and started pushing, him and his wife walking away from them. Penelope, from her mother's arms, smirked and stuck her tongue out at Anya and Sari, stopping when her mom asked if there were any other toys she wanted to get.

"Let's go," Anya said without another word, watching as the Suttons turned a corner into a new aisle and were out of sight.

"Really? We're not gonna go try and get back at them?" Sari asked, Anya shaking her head while the secret Autobot huffed, "Lame!"

"Not worth it," As much as Anya wanted to punch Penelope (and her parents), the last time she punched an Eden student, she almost cost Papa his whole mission. Plus, every student she'd ever met from Cline Hall was like that. They actually made Sy-On boy look nice! Becky taught her to avoid those meanies, and she did, and her time at Eden was better for it.

Aside from Sy-On boy and his two friends, but there was nothing Anya could do about that.

"I'd prefer avoiding a fight as well, Sari." Though honestly, those people were really starting to test my patience. Mr. Sumdac's words were the opposite of his thoughts, confusing Anya. He said he didn't want to fight, but he also wanted to punch those guys as much as she did, all because they insulted his daughter.

Huh, guess he's not so different from Papa after all, Anya smiled, wondering for a bit if all dads were like this deep down. She began to walk forward, hoping to get back to finding those Spy Wars toys.

But before she could take another step, the store was filled with the sound of gunfire, glass breaking and everyone screaming. Anya and Sari covered their ears while Mr. Sumdac did that and got to the floor. The gunfire stopped, everything now more quiet than a mouse for several moments.

"NOBODY MOVE! EVERYONE ON YOUR KNEES, AND THIS WILL ALL BE OVER QUICK!" A voice shouted for all the store to hear, "You'll be staying with us until payday comes in!"

A-A robbery!? Anya gasped, unable to move as Mr. Sumdac held her and Sari close, heavy booted footsteps approaching. One of the robbers, face covered in a ski mask, walked out of one of the aisles, machine gun aimed at everyone nearby, other robbers running past him. He yelled at anyone he came across to stay still and not move a muscle.

Oh man, I really wish Mama was here right now!

Come on! Come on! Let go already!

Yor struggled to break free from her restraints, using all her might to push against them. But try as she might, nothing seemed to work. It felt as if the seat belts were fighting back in kind.

Is the ghost doing this? Can it control the strength of these things? Yor wondered, staring at the material. It looked like ordinary seat belts, but anything that could resist her strength was most certainly NOT ordinary. She didn't have time to analyze the material anyway and tried to think of a way out.

I can't use my knives to break out of these. They're meant for piercing, not cutting, While she could make them slash out anything from throats to steel with enough strength and build-up, that wasn't a luxury Yor had at the moment. I tried just pushing the release button on the seat belt earlier, but that didn't work either, Not to mention she was barely able to even reach it to begin with, restrained as her hands were. Clearly, the ghost didn't just control the car, but everything inside it as well.

Can't just sit still. Gotta do something to break out! Yor kicked the dashboard in a rage, actually causing a small, but notable dent in it. But before she could kick again, the seat she was in glowed an ominous purple.

"AIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Yor screamed as arcs of lightning covered her body from head to toe. The agony lasted several seconds before it finally faded, slowly opening her eyes to see that the chair's glow dimmed, and the dent she made was no more.

W-What was that? Yor's breath became ragged from the pain. She'd never heard of any Secret Police car that had this feature. Then again, no patrol car was possessed by a ghost, which was more or less the only explanation she could think of. Wincing in pain, she sunk back into her seat to shrug it off, Can't remember the last time I felt a shock that intense. Good thing I built up a resistance.

Yor remembered years ago, rather early into her assassination missions when she fought a serial killer who loved electrocuting people to death. The files provided by The Garden, coupled with the killer's behavior during their bout, made it clear she absolutely loved both the sound of screaming and making eyeballs pop out of the skull. Yor managed to kill her but suffered a lot of deadly shocks from the woman's electric batons. After that, she made it a point to train herself to withstand violent torrents of electricity as much as possible.

It was rather convenient for her that there was a then upcoming hurricane season. Whenever it was thundering, when Yuri was either asleep or preoccupied, Yor made it a point to go outside to the highest possible peak and hold a large metal rod at the sky. The process was extremely painful, but it paid off in the end, letting her power through even the most violent, overwhelming concentrations of electricity without too much damage to herself. It certainly came in handy during later years, when she and The Garden fought the criminal organization, MECH, and kicked them out of Ostania. Quite a few of their soldiers had a thing for rather advanced electro-weaponry, looking back.

But even that doesn't really compare to this. I can only take so much, Yor felt the last of the pain wear off. Even with her having requested the beige overcoat she wore to be just as shock resistant as she was, these torrents were powerful enough that it didn't matter. Yor looked down at the seat belts, thinking of another way out as she noticed that the material was glowing a bright red that dimmed down after several seconds. Huh, Yor stared in wonder, Looks like these belts can only take so much as well.

And then it hit her.

With grit teeth, Yor kicked the dash again, this time even harder. A much larger dent was made, and it sounded like the entire car was growling at her. The seat glowed purple again, and she sunk deep into it just as the lightning hit.

"AIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Yor screamed again, letting her pain show. She needed to keep the ghost distracted so it didn't see what she was plotting. Continuing to kick the dash, the dent she created grew more and more. Yor could feel the lightning's intensity amp up with every single blow she delivered. Opening one eye, she looked down and saw the seat belt was glowing brighter than before, the red becoming increasingly white as smoke emitted from it.

Almost… there… The pain was becoming unbearable, but Yor screamed her lungs out one last time and delivered a final kick, the voltage reaching an apex as the seat belt burned and finally snapped. Free, she did everything possible to walk off the electrocution and immediately darted for the driver's seat, grabbing its seat belt before quickly tying it in knots to prevent a repeat scenario, followed by grabbing the head of the chair and using all her might to force it down. This left a flat surface for her to sit on, free from risk of any more lightning, as she grabbed the wheel, which strangely had a purple, angular, mouthless version of the symbol on Bumblebee's own steering wheel.

Huh, that's odd. Does this car come from the same place as Bumblebee? Yor wasn't sure what car manufacturer saw fit to put such symbols on their wheels, but she didn't have time to think about it either. Gripping the wheel tightly, she tried to wrestle control away from the spirit, making the car swerve about as it fought against her. Despite the outside being one giant blur, her keen senses were able to see where they were going, and thankfully, there were no innocent bystanders nearby. In fact, there didn't seem to be anyone out on the streets at all, or any other vehicles for that matter. It left her to wonder just where in Berlint she even was.

TSCHE-CHU-CHU!

"What the-HRRK!" Yor choked, wheezing as it felt like something strangled her windpipe. Looking down at the steering wheel, she saw that it'd somehow transformed into some kind of grabbing claw and extended outward, clutching at her neck in an effort to strangle her.

Okay. Starting to… doubt… that this is… a… ghost… Yor's thoughts were becoming more and more fragmented, both from the pain and lack of oxygen. The only reason she still had enough presence of mind to focus was that this wasn't the first time she'd almost been killed by asphyxiation, so she immediately got to work on breaking free. She tried to pry the claw off, but it twisted, forcing her one way then the next while swerving the car itself, further disorienting her. Vision fading, she looked down at the claw's arm, seeing open spaces with circuits and wires now visible.

Here… goes… s-some… thing! Yor thrust her right hand out and drew one of her knives, stabbing it into the circuits as hard as she could. The car's engine roared, as if in a fury, and the claw released her. Yor fell forward, catching herself with one hand while the other nursed her neck. She looked up to see the pincer claw twitch and spasm, her knife still lodged in the arm as purple arcs of electricity coated the entire limb.

"That should hold it," Yor said, her voice hoarse as she tried to open the door on her left, but it refused to budge. With a grunt, she punched at the window, and after a few hits, the glass began to crack. Winding her fist back, she put everything she had into this final punch, her arm piercing through the glass and shattering it to pieces as she dove out, feet first and grabbing the door frame.

Never had to put that much effort into punching through glass before, Yor thought as she flipped to the roof of the patrol car and knelt to maintain her balance. Not even bulletproof glass gave her that much trouble, only ever requiring one tougher than normal strike to break through it. Regardless, now that she was free, she looked to the hood of the car with a glare, knowing that whatever this thing was, ghost or otherwise, had no intention of letting her walk away. Pushing forward, Yor rushed to the patrol car's hood as it continued to blitz forward, jumping off. Now ahead of the car, she did a flip midair, looking down to her target.

Perfect. "HIIIIYAAAA!" Yor kicked downward as with everything she had as she descended, her foot impacting the front-most part of the hood. The force sent the rear upward as Yor's feet slid against the ground, the patrol car flipping over and flying overhead. She came to a stop, watching the car land and roll along its side several times before finally slowing down, eventually coming to a halt. Now flipped upside down, yet still appearing undamaged aside from the window, it rocked back and forth, unable to move.

"Glad that's over," Yor breathed out, her voice regaining its vigor, "Now I just have to get back to… Anya and…" Her words died as she looked around, seeing that she was surrounded by old, dirty buildings that seemed long since abandoned, factory towers in the distance both near and far. This is the factory district, Yor realized, remembering this place as the first time she and Loid fought off his patients together, and where they first agreed to their fake marriage, I'm on the outskirts of Berlint. But why would that possessed patrol car drive all the way out here?

As if to answer her question, an engine roared, getting Yor's attention as she turned to the source. To her surprise, it was the patrol car, only now upright with headlights flashing a dark crimson. "How did it-" She shook her head, "Doesn't matter!" Drawing both her second and spare knives, she entered a fighting stance and glared darkly at the vehicle, Even though technically, as a ghost, you're not alive…

"Tell me, you psychotic machine," Yor began, entering her mindset as Thorn Princess, voice lowering an octave, "May I have the honor of taking your life?"

The machine seemed to be at a standoff with her, crimson headlights glaring in pure rage while Yor glared back in kind. The feral roar of its engine clashed against Yor's quiet dignity, both of them waiting for the other to make the first move.

But then, the engine stopped.

TSCHE-CHU-CHU-CHU-TSCHE!

And the vehicle transformed.

"Oh my God…" Yor breathed out, watching in awe and horror as the machine rose.

Its parts shifted and warped as limbs took form. The rear altered into legs, the front folding to become a torso, and the sides coming apart to reveal arms and fists with what could only be described as brass knuckles. The black, shimmering alloy that made up the car enveloped each limb like armor, shades of gray between the black as navy-blue outlined it. A head looked up at Yor as the machine stood tall, casting a looming shadow that dared to consume her. Blood red eyes on a gray face stared down at her, a rage and annoyance obvious just by looking at them. Its lips curled in disgust, steel teeth bared as if seething, and then the unimaginable happened.

It smiled at her. A cruel, twisted, ugly thing that was going to delight in what came next.

Yor knew this expression all too well. She'd faced it countless times. And for the first time in a long time, she didn't know if she'd be able to walk away from it.

The black armor on its head shifted, metal clanging to wrap around its face, hiding its entirety behind a red visor that seemed a twisted parody of a police riot mask. It reached behind itself and drew a large metal stick, resembling a billy club, that glowed the same purple as before, cackling with torrents of lightning across its length.

Yor found herself overcome with panic and uncertainty, unable to make a move. But as the mechanical monster ran forward towards her, earth shaking in its wake, a single, terrified question managed to escape her lips.

"What are you?"

And thus, our Decepticon has revealed himself to one of the main cast members. This bodes poorly.

I decided to give Barricade a battle mask like what Bee has, though his is modeled after a police riot helmet with accompanying face shield. We've seen his buzz saws, and now we have his secondary melee weapon: The Electro-Baton. This weapon's modeled after a police baton (aka a nightstick or billy club). It's also technically Barricade's "non-lethal" weapon (massive air quotes), since his aim here is to interrogate Yor, then kill her.

But if he wanted to make the Electro-Baton lethal, he knows how to make it VERY lethal.

And yeah, the fact that he's gonna be attempting to interrogate Yor means you're finally gonna start hearing Barricade speak.

In lighter news, Nightfall's envy of Yor continues, and she's made an enemy of Bumblebee. I'm sure he'll eventually let it go and not do anything to screw up her day later down the road (nudge nudge, wink wink). We also get some more stuff on Sari's origins in this universe compared to canon, as well as an appearance from another Transformers Animated character.

As you can probably tell, Penelope Sutton is the civilian name of the TFA villain, Professor Princess. Though she ain't a supervillain at this point. Do be expecting more Animated characters to show up very soon. In fact, you'll be getting to see some more in the next chapter.

And yes, I made Sari a fan of Challenge of the GoBots and included it as entertainment media within the world of Spy X Family. It was just too good an opportunity to pass up. The purple dragon plush she picked up is a nod to Spike from My Little Pony.

Next time with Mission 17, we'll be dealing with Anya and Sari's hostage situation... and Yor vs. Barricade.

I'll see you all then, and as always, please help add to this fic's TV Tropes pages when you can.