Relic-Verse: Champions of Hope

Chapter 18

-- Part 1 --

Netri paced back and forth through his shop, pulling at his hair as he tried to focus his thoughts, with Alice sitting on the counter and gently petting Borg.

"Are you gonna tell me what's wrong or are we just gonna wait in silence as you go bald?" She stared at the assassin who stopped in his tracks and sighed.

"It's Creola. He hasn't contacted me back... Dammit what if he got caught?!"

"I mean... From what you have said he seems perfectly capable of fending for himself, so I wouldn't be worried about him, I'd be worried about the time." She nodded towards the clock, which only caused Netri to clench his fists in frustration.

"If I can't get the evidence then we won't have the Neo World Defenders!"

"So? Just send the stuff once we're in!"

"Faron was expecting to join us in the raid!"

"Then call him already!" Alice grabbed his phone and chucked it, causing Netri to jump and barely catch it in his hands.

"I- Fine. Just don't throw my phone next time." She smiled mischievously as he opened his phone and dialed Faron, putting it to his ear and tapping his foot impatiently.

After a few seconds it answered, and the tired voice of Faron came from his phone, "Netri? Did you get the evidence yet?"

"No, I didn't... I think Creola got caught, so we don't have anything."

"I can't help with that..."

"I know, BUT, if we manage to get in, and I manage to get some pictures for you, could you still get the NWD to act?!"

The line went silent for a minute before the detective spoke back up, "Yes. That's doable."

"Then I'll see you in an hour." Netri hung up the phone and rushed to his keypad, quickly typing in the code and rushing downstairs as Alice ran after him.

"So are we going?!"

He nodded as he reached his desk and rummaged through the drawers before pulling out a briefcase, "We don't have much time to move. We need to get dressed and prepared, and get to the meeting spot."

"Well, will we be getting help from the heroes?" She watched him as he opened the case and pulled out a black outfit.

He grimaced and tossed a second black outfit at her, "I really hope so..."

She caught the clothes and stared at him, slight worry etched into her eyes, "What if we don't get their help?"

He froze and looked up at her, studying her face before sighing and going back to changing, "Then we better cross our fingers and hope for some luck."

-- Part 2--

Arica stared wide-eyed at her phone, with Samuel, Evan, and Catherine glancing worriedly between each other before she spoke up.

"Avery is on her way..." She quickly pocketed her phone and stood up, clenching her fists as she started to leave before Evan's hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Hey, you don't think you're leaving without us, right?" He smiled as the other two stood up behind him.

"It's family issues, I can't let you all possibly endanger yourself for something you have nothing to do with."

Samuel walked over and shrugged before stuffing his hands into his pockets and grinning, "Well what kind of friends would we be if we just let you wander into possible danger on your own?"