Ryokou: stepping into her office, setting down her cup of coffee with a satisfied sigh Another meeting in the bag... now, only left is gotta go to the Remitting Area to pass this form...
[Shirou steps in to help her]
Shirou: Hey, y'kay? I can help you those, if you want.
Ryokou: Thanks a lot, Nii. Sure, you can help.
Shizuka: Is there any I can help with too?
Ryokou: It's okay, Shizuka-neesan. Shirou and I got this covered. Just relax there and make yourself comfy.
Shirou: Don't worry, Shizuka. We'll be quick.
Shizuka: Okay, good luck then.
[While the two are busy working, a "staff member" of the company enters the office]
???: Excuse me...
[A soft, female voice said beside her while Shizuka turned her head]
[Standing just beside the doorway was a young woman in a Roenji employee uniform-clean, crisp, professional. Her ID badge said "Ishida Mari - Logistics". She had short brown hair tucked neatly into a cap and a clipboard in her arms.]
[Something about her seemed... off. But Shizuka couldn't quite place it.]
Shizuka: Uh, yes?
"Mari": Sorry to disturb you, I was told to deliver these teas from our Logistics Officer. Are you Ms. Shizuka Tenkou?
[Shizuka blinked]
Shizuka: Yes... that's me.
[The woman set the clipboard down and walked forward, her steps silent, too silent.]
[Then came the sudden 'click' of a safety being turned off.]
[Before Shizuka could react, the woman pulled a sleek, compact pistol from her belt and pressed it against Shizuka's side beneath the table—hidden from any surveillance.]
Yggdrasil: coldly Don't scream, don't move.
[Shizuka froze. Her eyes widened]
Yggdrasil:whispers in her ear Stand up, We're taking a little walk. You make noise, I make a mess.
[The transformation was jarring. The kind eyes and polite smile of "Mari" were gone—replaced by the chilling gaze of Yggdrasil. Her voice was low, commanding. Ruthless.]
[Shizuka stood, heart pounding, moving as instructed. Yggdrasil kept close behind her, one arm casually wrapped around Shizuka's shoulders like they were coworkers sharing a conversation—but the steel pressed against her back said otherwise.]
[They moved past a few unsuspecting employees. No one batted an eye.]
[Moments Later - Rooftop Exit. A side elevator led them up. The moment the doors opened to the rooftop, Yggdrasil shoved Shizuka forward, stepping out behind her. The skyline of the city stretched wide around them, but the beauty was lost in the weight of the moment.]
Shizuka:breathing heavily Why... are you doing this...?
[Yggdrasil pulled off her cap, revealing her sharp, crimson-red eyes and jet-black hair tied behind her neck. She tossed the fake ID badge aside, stepping forward like a predator ready to strike.]
Yggdrasil: Because you're the bait.
[Shizuka backed away slowly as Yggdrasil raised a small comms device to her mouth.]
Yggdrasil:into the building comms Tell Shirou Fukushima... if he wants her alive—he knows where to go.
[She ended the transmission and looked back at Shizuka with a smirk that didn't reach her eyes.]
Yggdrasil: Your friend has no idea how deep this rabbit hole goes.
[With a sharp whistle, a sleek, compact helicopter pulled up onto the rooftop via a service ramp. Yggdrasil grabbed Shizuka by the wrist and hauled her toward it.]
Shizuka: struggling No! Let go of me-!
[Yggdrasil, unfazed, jammed the back of her elbow into Shizuka's side, knocking the wind out of her. She slung the girl onto the back of the copter and started the flight.]
[With a roar, they disappeared from the rooftop, vanishing into the maze of steel and streets below-leaving nothing behind but the dropped ID badge fluttering in the wind.]
[Meanwhile - Ryokou's Car, Mid-Transit
Shirou's phone buzzed. He pulled it out to check the screen. A message popped up—]
Unknown Number: If you want her back, come to where the golem first fell. Alone.
[Shirou's face paled. His grip on the phone tightened.]
Shirou: under his breath Shizuka...
Ryokou:glancing at him What's wrong?
[He looked up, eyes burning with a sudden,
cold fury.]
Shirou: She's gone. They took her again.
[Ryokou slammed the brakes, the car screeching to a halt.]
Ryokou: confused Huh?! Shizuka-neesan's being kidnapped?! And what do you mean, 'again'?
Shirou: I'll tell you after this is done. For now, call the police and tell them to go at the abandoned warehouse near Ryuzoji Intersection.
Ryokou: Got it. Wait, don't tell me you'll go there alone?!
Shirou: I have no other choice, do I?
Ryokou: sighs Guess I haven't either. I'll take you to the warehouse.
Shirou: Okay, guess that saves time.
[He calls Kei at the phone then he answered]
Kei: Wassup, Shirou? So, how's it going?
Shirou: I need your help, Kei. If possible, can you lend some of your "weapons" in kind? Shizuka's in danger.
Kei: Wha— Okay, I can help. But you better count me in to that! I'm not gonna let you berserk all the way, carelessly!
Shirou: Okay, fine. You can come. Meet me at the warehouse near Ryuzoji Intersection, asap.
Kei: Got it. ends the call
[They arrived at the abandoned warehouse, quietly as Shirou got out in the car and Ryokou leaves for backup]
[Few minutes later, Kei arrived on his motorcyle with two large bags filled with armed weapons]
Shirou: Where did you get these many?
Kei: Eh, I got my sources.
Shirou: Perhaps I can't question that from you then.
[Meanwhile, Ryokou arrives at the nearest police station]
Ryokou: Sir! pants There's gonna be a shooting in an abandoned warehouse near Ryuzoji Intersection!
[Officer Ryou approached her]
Officer Ryou: Woah there! You look like you're about to collapse! Don't worry, we'll take care of it.
Officer Shin: gives her water Yeah, you can trust us, miss. We'll take care of it. Let's go, Ryou.
Officer Ryou: Right!
[Both of them mounts on the police car, turned on the blaring alarm, and went off to the scene]
[Back to the scene. Shirou and Kei stealthily walks inside, looking for any ambushes. But they found Yggdrasil and a tied-up Shizuka conversing]
Kei: So, what's the plan?
Shirou: I'll deal with her first. Then, if she initiates an attack, back me up immediately.
Kei: Got it—
Yggdrasil: Sounds like a good plan~
[Before they knew it, Yggdrasil spotted them and slashes them with a katana but they evaded it barely]
Kei: Phew! That was close!
Shirou: It sure is! Seems like she's different than that man we've encountered last month.
Yggdrasil: You're making me more intrigued, Shirou-kun~ I wonder how well you will satisfy me! dashes into him and slashed but he evades again
Kei: Careful, Shirou! That katana's no joke! It seems the blade is double-edged.
Yggdrasil: Tsk! So noisy! she throws her katana into Kei but only got his shirt ducted on the wall
Kei: WOAH— shocked That was super close!
Shirou: Guess I have to use this then. uses the pistol that was in Kei's bag earlier.
Yggdrasil: Seems there's more to see on your image, Shirou-kun. But well, I got a weapon of my own. pulls her signature weapon which is a sub-machine gun rifle
Kei: Eh?! A full-custom GKS?
Yggdrasil: I call this... the GKS-9 Valkryia.
Now, shall we get started?
[They start to trade shots, each standoff is intense, heating every corner of the warehouse, until... Shirou couldn't bare off anymore]
Shirou:groans Ugh... kneels down
Kei: Shirou! tries to approach him but he's stuckCurses! Just how much force did she ducted me into this?!
Yggdrasil: I'll let you off the hook, for now. I'll finish you off when you're interesting enough for me.
Shirou: You... You'll pay for this!
Yggdrasil: Call me Yggdrasil. Storm of the Four Fiends. See you sometime, Shirou-kun. walks away
Shirou: Yggdrasil... faints
[The police officers, including Officer Ryou and Shin reported to the scene but it was too late]
Officer Ryou: These guys... Treat this man into the ambulance! Untie the girl and help the young man!
Policemen: Yes, sir!
Officer Shin: Damn, we're too late. If only we're near in this intersection.
Officer Ryou: It's okay. For now, we gotta wish for their full recovery.