Talking: Nice to meet you.

Whispering: That's wild.

Thinking: (What the hell is happening?)

---------------------------------------------------------

{3rd Person POV}

"🚨We interrupt your regular programming for this breaking news🚨"

Every day's a surprise in New Eridu, and 80% aren't pleasant.

"🚨A Companion Hollow has suddenly appeared on Fourteenth Street🚨"

That same night after the heterochromatic boy finished painting the facade for Random play, there was a Breaking News report on the TV. A certain blue-haired girl could be seen sitting in front of her television, not really paying attention to the broadcast and simply listening to music with her eyes closed.

"🚨The Hollow Investigatigative Association has dispatched a team to the scene to carry out emergency protocols🚨"

A small mechanical bean robot with rabbit ears and LED rings for eyes, called a Bangboo, attempted to get her attention. It hopped onto the couch and made adorable squeaks while flailing the small nubs it had for limbs.

"🚨Evacuation of residents in nearby blocks is underway🚨"

Belle removed her earbuds, resting her head on her hand as she watched the TV with a curious and slightly serious expression on her face.

Belle: Wise, come check this out.

She called out to her brother who was walking behind the couch. He was seemingly arranging some books—the clean freak. He turned to the news broadcast and raised an eyebrow.

Wise: What's that? 14th Street? I think the news mentioned it earlier...Give me a sec.

The silver-haired boy walked to a nearby table. He set the books down and turned on the computer while his sister continued to watch.

Belle: Yeah in the Janus Quarter. They say it's already breached level-three controls.

Wise: Yeah, Public Security was conducting a manhunt over there today. Evacuations may not be going as expected.

Belle: So, you're saying...?

She held on to her Bangboo while the taller male looked back at her.

Wise: We should get ready. We'll be seeing some business coming our way soon.

He made his way. over to the couch, remaining standing while Belle let go of the bunny-like robot and attentively observed the TV.

Belle: Cool, now we play the waiting game...

Wise: Say...14th Street is worryingly close to Bofurin...and wherever there's a Hollow there's bound to be unwelcome characters...

Belle: What are you implying?... Oh, come on it's not even in the neighborhood! He wouldn't be that stupid...would he?

...

Wise: I...Would not put it past him...

-Timeskip brought to you by Belle and Wise staring at a certain briefcase with contemplation-

https://youtu.be/j0XaouR0fjw

Inside a highrise building on Fourteenth Street in the Janus Quarter, New Eridu...Three figures could be seen running down a dimly lit corridor! The three consisted of a tall man with spiked-up white hair, and a hot rod red jacket decorating his torso.

Running behind the man were two female figures. A short girl with white hair wearing a high-tech green jacket and a woman with long pink hair tied into twin tails who was carrying a strange-looking metal box.

【🐰Nicole Demara🐰】 [The Cunning Hare]



Nicole: Go left!

The three figures frantically escaped from whatever was chasing them. They came across a flight of stairs after taking another corner.

Red Jacket ran down them, almost tripping over but managing to catch his step before continuing to run. Nicole decided to slide down the stairwell's railing. Finally, Shorty simply took a massive leap and rolled on the ground before smoothly transitioning into a run.

They ran through the hallways until Nicole stopped to look at what seemed like a dead end with a large statue of a Bangboo in the center. A cheeky little smile tugged at the corners of her lips before pulling her teammates along with her.

"Over there!"

"Go! Go!

The gruff voices of multiple men could be heard through the halls. Their stampeding steps were quick, chasing after the trio of runaways. The men ran right past the dead end but unbeknownst to them...



The idiots sprinted past their targets! The two girls quietly slipped away but unfortunately, Red Jacket was just a little too loud! Loud enough for the sprinting men to hear them, turn around, and begin the chase once again!

"Catch them!"

"STOP!!!"

~Meanwhile~

While all of this went down, inside the walls of a small one-bedroom apartment, a certain heterochromatic boy sat on his bed. He yawned in boredom as he scrolled through the channels of his TV.

Kiba: Uuuuugh TV fell off so hard...There's nothing to watch!

He stopped scrolling when he came across the news channel by chance. A man with a square head and broad shoulders stood in front of a microphone with a nervous expression on his face. Kiba tilted his head to the side in confusion when he recognized the man. That's the head of Public Security!

"Ahem, umm, yes... Citizens, I'm the head of the Janus Quarter's Public Security currently conducting an operation on Fourteenth Street."

Kiba: Hm? Why is he so nervous?

"I—I regret to inform everyone our operation has been disrupted due to the appearance of a Hollow."

Kiba: WHAT?!???!

"I—I'd like to remind the public we are in pursuit of the Red Fang Gang — the group responsible for the terrorist attack on the research institute."

The boy's dual-colored eyes widened with shock, anger, and annoyance!

Kiba: Oh those motherfuckers!

"These are dangerous dudes... Uh... I mean criminals. Particularly their leader, Miguel Silver. Everyone should remain vigilant!"

The boy snarled when he heard the name Miguel. That piece of shit was back at it again! And this time it was way more than a petty mugging. At this point, he was so riled up he didn't care that the huge research building on 14th Street wasn't even part of Bofurin. He just wanted to beat Miguel's ass again!

The boy didn't even stay and listen to the rest of the broadcast. He scratched behind his ear as he stood up, grabbing his jacket from the coat hanger next to his door. He cracked his knuckles and opened the window.

He looked down. He lived on the third floor of his apartment building. He grabbed a hold of the metal ladder beside his window and slid down it until the leader ended. Once it did, he kicked off the wall and landed on the ground with a forward roll.

Kiba: Alright...To 14th street!

And he took off running.

~Meanwhile~

The earlier trio running through the dark building was still being chased by who we now know is the Red Fang Gang. Red Jacket led the way as they dashed through a corridor full of TVs!

The Breaking news broadcast was being played in all of them and Nicole was a little amused when a Reporter suddenly interrupted the Head of Public security.

" I'm *ing *ed! As this station's reporter, I can't listen to this anymore! Those criminals need to get *ed!"

"E—Excuse me, mister reporter, I'm still giving a briefing on the case... Let me–"

"I don't give a *! Listen here, you Red Fang Gang *s! Don't think the Hollow can protect you! The Public Security's air force is on the way. You're *ed!"

While all of.....That happened...Nicole, Red Jacket, and Shorty burst into a large storage room with a massive window that led to the outside! The girl with white hair silently walked over and began to knock on the large pane of glass while Red Jacket looked back at Nicole.

【🤖Billy Kid🤖】 [The Starlight Knight's #1 Fan!]



Billy: There's a window! Boss, we can get out this way!

Nicole: *Sigh* But that's a Hollow down there... Fine, a way out is a way out. Can you break the glass, Billy?

Billy: Easy! Leave it to me!

The man twirled one of his pistols in his hand before cockily aiming towards the glass!

*BANG*

The bullet was fired! It was sure to completely shatter the glass right? In a flash, it traveled through the air, ready to collide-

*Ping!*

The bullet bounced off the window!? It must be reinforced glass! Nicole's eyes widened in shock while Shorty just seemed unimpressed with everything. The bullet whizzed through the air, cutting a cable that was holding up a heavy monitor just above the robotic gunslinger!

*BONK*



.........

......

...

He just... knocked himself out. The cyborg lay there on the floor...completely unconscious...The short white-haired girl then spoke up. Her tone of voice was completely monotone and devoid of any kind of expression.

【🔋Anby Demara🔋】 [The Electro-Master]



Anby: It bounced off. This glass must be tough.

Nicole: Damn, I knew it wouldn't be that easy. This window is–

Suddenly, they heard the unexpected voice of a man behind them. He seemed to be...weeping? Literally crying for some reason. The man had slicked-back grey hair. It was that motherfucker Miguel! He appeared to have some bandages hiding a multitude of bruises on his face...Wonder where he got those from...

Miguel: —Reinforced bulletproof glass. You won't be able to break it.

The man and his goons began to close in on them.

Miguel: The Cunning Hares odd-job agency...Why?...Why would you steal from the Red Fang Gang?

The pink-haired woman turned to the approaching men. She took a step back, tightly clutching the cube she was holding in her arms with shaky hands.

Nicole: You stole the strongbox from the institute! We're just returning it to its rightful owner!

Miguel's goons were about to take another step, only to be stopped by the sharp ring of an unsheathing blade. Anby stepped in front of Nicole. The small girl held her sword pointed out towards the gang members with a glare.

Nicole: Don't make it sound like we're the bad guys!

Miguel: We're all trying to get by on the same streets. Why... Why would you be helping the cops!?

Nicole: Sorry, but it's not Public Security that commissioned us. And also that's none of your business anyway.

Miguel: Of course it is. They had people steal from my territory, so I have to teach them a lesson!

The man and his goons slowly began to step closer while the girls stepped back.

Miguel: *sobbing* W—Why don't you just give it back to me? It's so important to us...That I'm willing to exchange it for your lives!



Nicole: So you need the whole gang armed and ready to handle three people? This is the "Silver Tears"? It's even weirder than the rumors...

The woman was acting way too casual for her own good. She carelessly pointed at the grenade strapped to a man's leg.

Nicole: Wait! Is that a flashbang?

Anby: Correct. It's a GS 2 high-lumen military flashbang. The blast is quite strong.

The boss smiled.

Nicole: Awesome! Time to wake up, Billy!

Billy: Eyes open everyone!

The man looked down, noticing that the cyborg he was standing over had suddenly woken up. Billy snatched the flashbang and held it in one hand before pulling the pin!

"🤖SAY—CHEESE—!🤖"

*BAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNGGGGG*

The Red Fang Gang members all clutched their eyes and ears in pain. They didn't have enough to cover themselves before the blast went off, a luxury The Cunning Hares had. Miguel groaned in pain, opening his eyes and glaring at the three with pure hate. He was about to speak when suddenly...everyone began to hear the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, along with the voice of a male.

"MigueeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLL!!!!!"

*BLAM*

The door slammed open to reveal an enraged boy with black and white hair.

"🐕YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!🐕"

Miguel only had time to turn around with wide eyes before being hit with a flying sidekick straight to the jaw! Everybody stood there stunned at his sudden appearance.

Miguel: M-Mad Dog?! What are you–?!

He was grabbed by the collar and thrown into one of his henchmen.

Kiba: Terrorism is a big jump from petty crime don't you think?!

He was about to get hit with a baseball bat, but his instincts alerted him of the incoming attack. He weaved under the swing and hit the henchman with a no-form, balls to the walls, nothing fancy, barbarian punch his stupid ass into the ground.

Another one tried to grab him by the wait and slam him into the ground but–

Kiba: Bitch, get the fuck! *POW* off me! *POW*

He hit the goon with his elbow twice, causing him to let go. Taking the opportunity, Kiba pivoted on one foot and hit him in the face with a downward punch. The Cunning Hares watched as the boy continued to fight.

Billy: Uh...boss...do you know this guy?

Nicole: Do I look like I know him?

Anby watched silently as he fought. Kiba ran toward a massive man! The man grabbed a nearby wooden crate and pushed it towards the heterochromatic teen. It slid through the room towards him but Kiba suddenly jumped on top of it, quickly used it to jump towards a wall, and finally kicked off the wall! This fluid display of agility left him hanging in the air, in the perfect position to land a kick to the man's face, dropping him to the ground

Anby: He's just like "Oldboy"...

She said with a glint of wonder in her eyes.

Billy: The movie???

Two guys tried to attack him simultaneously, but he didn't even give them the luxury of a punch. Kiba grabbed them by the face and SLAMMED them into the hard floor! The boy stood up and flicked his wrist. He was starting to get a little tired.

Kiba: You annoying motherfuckers!

He stepped back until he was standing with Nicole, Billy, and Anby.

Miguel: GRRRR I'LL KILL YOU MAD DOG! SAME FOR YOU CUNNING HARES! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!

Nicole grinned cheekily, walking past Kiba and confidently standing in front of the enraged grey-haired man and his battered goons. He stopped dead in his tracks when he was suddenly blinded by a beaming light that rose from behind them.

Nicole: Hahaha, you've made a mistake, mister. We aren't your enemy.

"🐰That is~🐰"



"🚨FALCON 4 TO COMMANDER. WE'VE ARRIVED AT THE SOURCE OF THE LIGHT AND HAVE FOUND THE RED FANG GANG🚨"

Kiba: IS THAT THE AIR FORCE?!

Miguel: That flashbang just now... It was to attract the helicopter?!

The pink-haired woman turned around to face the lights of the helicopter, putting her hands up.

Nicole: You finally noticed? Now it's your turn to choose, you crybaby~

The black and white-haired boy raised an eyebrow at the interaction. The only reason he was able to find this specific room was because he heard an incredibly loud explosion, followed by an incandescent flash of light.

Kiba: (Huh...Damn that's smart...)

Nicole: You can stay and fight us and then get caught by Public Security, or you can run, and we all get to live.

Miguel: Ngh...Damn you Cunning Hares! And you too Mad Dog!

Kiba was irked, a tick mark appearing on his forehead. He scratched behind his ear and snarled.

Kiba: 💢Stop calling me that stupid nickname, asshole!💢

Billy: Hey man if it helps, I think it's kinda cool.

The robot placed a hand on the boy's shoulder but Kiba wasn't really consoled by his attempt at diffusing the situation. He grabbed Billy's wrist and moved it away from his shoulder.

Kiba: Whatever...

Meanwhile, Nicole looked back at the seething grey-haired man with a glint of sassy malice in her eyes. She loved getting away with stuff like this.

Nicole: It's in a hare's nature to avoid getting caught~ Don't hold it against me.

The TV that fell on Billy's head earlier was somehow still on and the crazy reporter SOMEHOW had not been kicked out of the studio even after swearing and wishing death upon people on live television. Anywho, the man began to speak as everyone looked at the screen with bated breaths.

"What? You've found the Red Fang *ers? Then what are you *ing waiting for, Commander?!"

"Pick the biggest gun and rain down JUSTICE!!!"

.........

......

...

Kiba: No fucking way he just said that...

Everybody in the room turned to look at the massive aircraft outside. The booming voice of the communication system didn't bode well for them. A chill ran down everyone's spines when they heard the words said by the pilot.

"🚨FALCON 4, ATTACK ORDER RECEIVED.🚨"

A gigantic missile was fired from the underside of the helicopter. It flew through the air at incredible speeds, leaving a trail of smoke. In the few seconds they had left before the rocket collided with the building, Kiba couldn't help but wonder who the hell was giving orders at Public Security HQ for them to be this trigger-happy.

Billy began to panic, Anby just looked as expressionless as ever, and Nicole could only watch as the rocket came closer with each passing moment.

Nicole: We're done for...

*BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

The blast created a gigantic hole in the building. The entire structure shook, causing everybody in the room to fall into the Hollow below. Everybody saw what was basically a gigantic black hole in the middle of the city. An anomaly in reality. And they were about to fall right into it.

"🤖I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAIIIIIIIIIINNNNNT🤖"



{TO BE CONTINUED...}