Chapter Text
The screen flashes. A television appears on the screen and turns on.
We interrupt your regular programming for this breaking news. A Companion Hollow has suddenly appeared on Fourteenth Street and has already breached level-three containment. The Hollow Investigative Association has dispatched a team to the scene to carry out emergency protocols.
The screen shifts away from the television and focuses on a bangboo with an orange scarf labeled 01, which scrambles towards another girl leaning on the couch. The bangboo excitedly points at the talking display while ‘eh-nah’-ing to catch the girl’s attention.
“I guess we’re focusing on me first.” Belle sighed. I knew our identity would be revealed eventually, but not this early!
“I will admit that I am slightly curious about what life as a video store manager is like,” Qingyi said.
“Well, you’re definitely going to see a lot of that,” Wise muttered.
Evacuation of residents in nearby blocks is underway. Please stay away from the Fourteenth Street Area…
The computer drones on.
“Wise – come check this out.” Belle whispered.
“What’s that?” he replied. “Fourteenth Street? I think the news mentioned it earlier…give me a sec.” He set down his box.
“Yeah, in the Janus Quarter. They say it’s already breached the level-three controls.”
“Yeah, Public Security were conducting a manhunt over there today. Evacuations may not be going as expected”.
“You two are very well informed,” Lycaon noted.
Belle picked up the bangboo. “So you’re saying…?”
“We should get ready,” Wise affirmed. “We’ll be seeing some business coming our way soon.”
“Pardon me, but what type of business would a video store manager expect during times of crisis?” Qingyi asked.
Belle and Wise shared a look, but remained silent.
“Alright, keep your secrets,” Qingyi said. “It won’t be hidden for long, at least not with the way things are going.”
“Cool, now we play the waiting game…” Belle sat down, letting the bangboo jump out of her grasp. Wise walks toward the television, and Officer Bringer appears on screen. The screen fades out.
CHAPTER 000
Business x Strangeness x Justness
“Chapter 0, a prologue? This is the first of how many chapters?” Ellen asked. “I’m already tired”
“I haven’t received all of the video tapes yet, but this is the first out of fifteen for the main story. There are also eleven agent stories and three special episodes.” The voice replied.
Obviously not expecting an answer, Ellen tensed up.
“Is nobody concerned about the amount of time we’ve spent being here? Surely somebody would’ve noticed that we were missing,” Zhu Yuan commented. “I’ve missed my shift, and I’m rarely absent.”
“I guess I forgot to mention that time is frozen here.”
“WHAT?” many voices cried out.
“You know about the Hollows and the weird time distortion thing that some of them have going on? It’s kinda like that, but without the corruption and consequences. Besides, I’ve already brought you here without your knowledge, what else can’t I do?”
“I guess that’s true. That Hollow…I haven’t heard about there being a Hollow on Fourteenth street. We’re not stationed near Sixth Street though, so it could have already happened. There might be information that I’m not privy to. Or this really is the future.” Qingyi thought aloud.
Lycaon coughed, gaining her attention. “If I may?” Lycaon spoke.
“Any input you have is appreciated.” Qingyi nodded.
“It would be more likely that truely is the future. I doubt that the other officials would fail to inform you before it was reported on the news.”
“It did say that Public Security was there earlier. Well, I guess I should just accept that this really is the future.” Qingyi slumped over in her chair.
Sirens echo in the background. A white haired girl dashes forwards, followed by an android that stumbles over absolutely nothing and another girl with pink hair.
“Go left!” The pink haired shouts to her comrades.
Nicole grumbled. “I guess it’s our turn now.”
Seriously, Zero? You went and joined a ragtag group of troublemakers? Soldier 11 thought.
“Are you running from public security?” Grace sits up, instantly enamoured with the screen. If you need a safe place to go, Mr. Android, I’m available.”
“Sis, everybody introduced themselves earlier.” Koleda groaned. “Plus, you shouldn’t be offering to hide a wanted criminal, especially not with Pubsec here! Do you want them to go after us?”
“I might have not been paying attention.” Grace laughed nervously.
I’d better keep Qingyi away from her, Zhu Yuan thought.
The trio dart to the left, and Billy and Anby leap down the stairs, while Nicole gracefully slides down the handlebars. They continue running and panting, as the camera alternates between them. Nicole slows, and stops running, clutching a briefcase. A sly grin grows on her face.
The camera points towards an improperly styled bangboo.
Wise frowned.
“Is..is that bangboo s-supposed to be there?” Corin asked meekly.
“There's a carbon copy of that statue near the box gallery of Sixth Street,” he replied.
The three pop out from behind the statue.
“Hiding…very smart. I don’t think that would’ve worked if I was there.” Ben joked.
“Catch them! Stop!”
Rina spoke up. “Might have been a futile endeavor, but I applaud your effort.”
They run through a hallway filled with over a dozen tvs, before the screen fades to black again.
A black screen, with white text reads: Inside a high-rise building on Fourteenth Street in Janus Quarter, New Eridu.
Officer Bringer reappears.
“Ahem, umm, yes… Citizens, I’m the head of the Janus Quarter’s Public Security currently conducting an operation on Fourteenth Street. I–I regret to inform everyone our operation has been disrupted due to the appearance of a Hollow. 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. These are dangerous dude… Uh… I mean criminals. Particularly their leader, Miguel Silver. Everyone should remain vigilant!”
“This section is similar to a comic strip,” Anby commented.
“Officer Bringer!” Zhu Yuan lights up. “I respect him. He saved me from the Hollow many years ago. He might be awkward here, but I can vouch that he’s a great person.”
Another man yanks the microphone towards him.
“I’m *ing *ed! As this station’s reporter, I can’t listen to this anymore! Those criminals need to get *ed! As soon as we find them we should just *ing * them all! And then * them again!
“Very family friendly. I think that guy’s pissed.” Belle said.
“You think?” Wise replied.
A door flies off its hinges.
“E–Excuse me mister reporter, I’m still giving a briefing on the case… Let me..” Bringer tries to continue.
The reporter interrupts him. “I don’t give a *! Listen here, you Red Fang *s! Don’t think the Hollow can protect you! The Public Security’s air force is on the way! You’re *ed! Is that right, officer?
“There’s a window! Boss, we can get out this way!” Billy yells gleefully.
“But that’s a Hollow down there… Fine, a way out is a way out. Can you break the glass, Billy?” Nicole replies.
Anton cuts in. “So uh… what exactly is your plan here? To just jump out of the window? That looks to be pretty high.”
“I don’t know, that’s me from the future!” Nicole protested.
“Easy! Leave it to me!”
Billy shoots a bullet that pings off the glass and ricochets to a television, which crashes on his head.
The two girls are unfazed. “It bounced off. This glass must be tough.” Anby reasons.
Nicole places her hand on the glass. “Damn, I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. This window is–”
“--Reinforced bulletproof glass. You won’t be able to break it”. A man, with tears in his eyes, finishes. “The Cunning Hares odd-job agency…Why…? Why would you steal from the Red Fang Gang?” He sobs.
“Wow, who hurt you?” Nicole asks sarcastically.
The man stalks towards them, sword in hand. “My men went through so much trouble to…”
“You stole the strongbox from the institute! We’re just returning it to its rightful owner! Don’t make it sound like we’re the bad guys!” Nicole yells back.
“The White Star Institute…” Soldier 11 muttered.
The two continue arguing.
“We’re all trying to get by on the same streets. Why… Why would you be helping the cops!”
“Sorry, but it’s not Public Security that commissioned us. And also that’s none of your business anyway.”
“Of course it is. They had people steal from my territory, so I have to teach them a lesson!”
He continues sobbing, but slowly approaches them. “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!”
Oh no. Nicole and the others really have gotten themselves into quite a bit of trouble. There’s a Hollow nearby, so they’re probably gonna fall into it, one way or another. That means that she’ll be needing our help soon. Belle realizes.
“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.” Nicole’s eyes are then drawn toward the man’s leg.
“Wait! Is that a flashbang?”
“Correct. It’s a GS 2 high-lumen military flashbang. The blast is quite strong.” Anby chimes in.
Very specific, Qingyi thinks.
“Awesome! Time to wake up Billy!”
“What?”
Billy skillfully slips the flashbang off the man’s leg. “Eyes open everyone!” Pulling the pin, he shouts, “SAY–CHEESE–!”
A loud, white flash.
“Wahhhh! My eyes!”
“Ahh. so… you choose to resist! In that case I have no choice but to KILL YOU ALL!” The man jumps forward.
“Hahaha, you’ve made a mistake, mister. We aren’t your enemy. That is~” Nicole points at a blinding light that covers a helicopter.
“Falcon 4 to Commander. We’ve arrived at the source of the light and found the Red Fang Gang. Repeat, we’ve found the Red Fang Gang. Awaiting orders…”
“B–Boss, It’s the air force!” A thug shouts.
Nicole lifts her hands in the air.
“That flashbang just now… It was to attract the helicopter?!”
“How did you even know the helicopter would be there? Nicole, you really surprise me sometimes.” Wise said.
“I need to keep the creditors off my back somehow.”
“You finally noticed? Now it’s your turn to choose, you crybaby~You can stay and fight us and then get caught by Public Security, or you can run, and we all get to live.”
“Damn you, Cunning Hares!”
“It’s in a hare’s nature to avoid getting caught~ Don’t hold it against me.”
“You’re not even a rabbit thiren.” Koleda deadpanned.
“What? You’ve found the Red Fanger *ers? Then what are you *ing waiting for, Commander?! Pick the biggest gun and rain down JUSTICE!!!”
“Falcon 4, attack order received.”
Lycaon voiced what was in everyone’s mind right now. “I advise you to escape as quickly as possible. Your surrender display likely means nothing to the officers in the helicopter.”
A rocket is launched.
“We’re done for…”
A massive explosion occurs, and Billy and Anby fall down to the signature dark orb of a Hollow.
“I want to file a complaint!” Billy’s voice echos.
I knew it … Belle can already feel a headache approaching.
“I can’t lose my employees!” Nicole moaned. “I just gave them their salary!”
“We appreciate the concern.” Anby and Billy replied.
“Is nobody worried for their lives right now? Hollows are dangerous, and I doubt that the other officers would be willing to rescue Hollow Raiders.” Zhu Yuan comments. “Don’t try to bluff your way out, it’s obvious that you’re Hollow Raiders.”
Nicole smirks. “Don’t worry. I know just the person to help them escape from the Hollow.”
Belle and Wise met eyes again. That’s definitely us, they agreed.