The sound of his phone buzzing woke Claude up.

He rubbed his eyes with his hands and sat up slowly. His phone had been in his pocket the entire time, he pulled it out and checked it over to make sure it wasn't damaged.

As his finger brushed over the screen it lit up, displaying several messages from Mei. The messages were short and blunt. "Outside." "9 o-clock." "Training."

Claude looked up at the clock on his wall. "8:30". He stood up and glanced around the room. "I suppose I have a little while before I'm supposed to meet her, guess I'll check what's on TV."

Claude found the remote on a small table, he picked it up and pressed the power button.

The TV screen flashed to life, it displayed a large room with a circular couch, a round table in the middle and a huge screen at the back, cameras sat in a ring around the room, filming in a semicircle.

On the couch sat a young woman, her long light green hair sparkled in the overhead lights, she wore a flowing white dress with green trims and dark green heels. She looked almost ethereal in appearance.

She smiled and introduced herself, facing the camera. "To those who are just tuning in, welcome back! This is Melody Mirage, on this segment of the Arhke News Network I'll be interviewing one of our very own Gold Ranked Heroes! Please welcome a very special guest Blaze Hunter!"

She waved her hand toward the edge of the camera's view.

Blaze walked onto the set and sat down across from Melody.

"Thank you for having me on the show today Melody."

Melody nodded. "So Blaze, let's talk about your latest venture outside Arhke. Is it true that you've made progress toward undoing the damage done four decades ago?"

Blaze's demeanour remained professional. "I'm not at liberty to say too much, though I suppose it wouldn't hurt to say we've made significant progress. The Monarch's forces are now weaker than ever before."

Melody nodded. "I understand, thank you for answering in the capacity that you can. Looks like humanity has a solid hope for the future. We can win against the Abyss!" She giggled.

"Okay, next question. I'm sure you've heard the rumour that's going around Arhke lately, people are talking about it both in person and online."

Melody's smile faltered. "Apparently a Demon has been sighted inside Arhke's walls. It's worrying a lot of people. Furthermore according to the history books, this Demon looks like Hecate The Witch. Has Arhke been compromised?"

Blaze shook his head. "I can assure you and everyone at home that Arhke hasn't been compromised. No Demon has gotten inside Arhke, especially not The Witch. What they saw was likely the Hero Organisation's new experimental technology. It replicates past threats as sort of simulated holograms, allowing us to strategize on how best to defeat the foe. That's all it was."

Melody sighed. "I see, thank you for reassuring everyone Blaze."

Blaze nodded. "Arhke is a safe place. About the safest on earth at the moment. The Hero Organisation will continue to protect everyone, just as we've always done."

Melody nodded, her smile returned.

She looked up toward the screen behind her. It displayed the current time. "8:55".

"Oh, time flew by fast, looks like that's all the time we have today."

She turned to face the camera. "Thank you Blaze for coming in for this little interview, and thank you everyone in Arhke for tuning in this morning. I'm Melody Mirage and this was the Arhke News Network, the only news source that's proven to be truthful one hundred percent of the time!"

Despite Melody's obvious lie, her voice sounded convincing, almost hypnotic, it was hard not to believe her.

The TV screen darkened for a few seconds then advertisements began playing. Claude turned the TV off.

"Blaze lies so naturally, I guess that comes with the experience." Claude thought to himself.

He sighed. "And Melody Mirage, I wonder if she's related to the Mirage I know. She seems far nicer than he is in any case."

Claude glanced at the clock on his wall. "I guess I should get going. Don't wanna leave Mei waiting, we're already on bad terms after yesterday... at least I think we are. She's so hard to read."

He turned and left the room. In the corridor he could hear Mei's voice just down the hall, she sounded like she was arguing with somebody.

As Claude walked toward the sound he saw the door to a nearby room slightly open, from within he overheard Mei arguing with Michael, her voice was unusually assertive.

Claude peered into the room while remaining hidden behind the door.

"It's wrong... I don't want to be part of Project Arbiter anymore."

Michael shook his head. "Mei, you're integral for the success of Project Arbiter. The role you play is one only you are capable of. I'm sorry. I cannot let you quit."

Mei shook her head, her shoulders sagged. "I don't like this... it's unethical... and The Arbiter is dangerous... too dangerous to keep in the dark... if this backfi-"

Michael cut her off. "This won't backfire. It's the job of our squadron to make certain this doesn't fail."

Mei scowled at him. "Don't interrupt me when I'm talking!..." She sighed and shrugged, her expression sank back into it's neutral state. "You're right... I can't back out now... if you and Claire need me to keep using my abilities... I'll do it... Don't expect me to approve or to do anything more than I already am though..."

Michael nodded. "All I require of you is to keep doing what you're already doing. I'll admit I was sceptical of Project Arbiter at first too. The results speak for themselves though, we're making real progress Mei. We don't really have a choice in the matter regardless. If we fail humanity stands no chance."

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Mei shrugged. "I need to go now... Claude will be waiting for me..."

Michael nodded. "I understand. I shall see you later then Mei."

Mei yawned and turned to leave the room. Claude moved with the door as it opened, hiding behind it as Mei walked out into the corridor.

She disappeared around a corner and Claude stepped out and followed behind her.

Outside he spotted Mei sat on a bench near the Golden Regent statue.

She spotted Claude and yawned as she waited for him to approach.

Claude walked up and sat on the bench beside her.

"You're late..." Mei sleepily turned to face him.

Claude sighed. "No, I'm not. You just got here. Mei, what's Project Arbiter?"

Mei shrugged. "Project Arbiter?... I don't know what that is..."

Claude shook his head. "I think you do. I overheard your argument with Michael."

Mei yawned. "It's rude to eavesdrop... Project Arbiter doesn't concern you... I'm not supposed to talk about it... ask Michael if you want to know..."

"Mei, How can you be certain Michael will tell me anything at all?"

She shrugged.

"Claude... the reason I brought you here is to help you practice with your power... Claire and Michael will be here soon... we're going to be doing a training battle... I want to help you learn how your power works so you can help us..."

Claude stood up and turned to Mei. "Why do you want to help me? I thought you didn't trust me."

"I never said I didn't trust you..."

"Well then. Do you trust me?"

Mei stood up and walked towards a small rock. She waved Claude over without saying a word.

Claude sighed. "Of course. Dodge the question like always." He approached Mei. "What is it you wanted me here for?"

Mei gestured to the rock next to her. "You need to learn to manipulate solid objects... try to move this..."

"You want me to move this? I'm not sure I understand but okay, I'll give it a try."

Claude moved and extended his hand toward the rock. He took a deep breath and focused.

The rock shook a little and then shattered into hundreds of small stones.

Claude shook his head. "That failed. Guess I focused too hard."

As Claude approached the pile of stones Claire and Michael arrived outside.

Mei walked toward them. Claude followed behind.

Michael turned to Mei and Claude. "We're going to participate in a training exercise which has been set up to test our squadron's ability to cooperate with one another in a combat situation."

The two of them nodded. "So, who's our opponent?"

Claire gestured to the doorway. Ranger Ranger walked out and nodded to the group.

"Greetings Regent Squadron. I shall be your opponent for this training session. There's no need to hold back against me. Show me everything you have."

Ranger Ranger escorted the group to a secluded area for their battle. He stood on one side of the makeshift battlefield while Regent Squadron stood together on the other.

Ranger Ranger struck a pose and spoke up loudly. "Ghost is unavailable as she's running a different mission at the moment. As such Captain Regent won't be able to communicate for this battle. To that end I have imposed a handicap on myself. I will not bring Ranged Ranger to this battle. It's a four vs one. Good luck Regent Squadron. You can beat me if you all work together!"

Claire waved her hand, Michael and Mei moved into positions beside her with practiced precision.

Claude watched as Claire made various hand signals. Michael and Mei seemed to understand exactly what she wanted them to do using the signals.

Ranger Ranger stood in place. He made no moves to attack, observing the movements of Regent Squadron carefully.

Claire put her hands together in a butterfly shape, a ball of fire flew from her palms directly at Ranger Ranger. He quickly raised his arms and placed them together in an X shape as the fireball hurtled toward him. Michael seized the opportunity to charge at Ranger Ranger.

Michael leapt into the air as the fireball impacted Ranger Ranger, as the smoke cleared Ranger Ranger stood on the other side, unscathed.

As Michael landed he wound his fist back and threw a punch at Ranger Ranger who swiftly weaved around the punch. He returned Michael's punch with one of his own, which impacted Michael's chest, sending him flying backwards.

As Michael flew through the air Claude rushed to Claire's side. "I want to try something that may allow us to turn this around. May I?" Claire looked at him and firmly nodded.

Claude extended a hand toward the ground. He closed his eyes and focused. The ground vibrated and rumbled a little.

Suddenly a chunk of earth shot into the sky, Michael managed to land on it to regain his bearings, he leapt from the chunk of earth as it fell back to the ground with an audible splat.

Michael landed in front of Claire. He turned to Claude, who had now opened his eyes, and nodded, then he immediately turned and gave Claire a report.

"He doesn't attack. He's just standing there waiting for us to strike. As if he's holding back."

Michael clutched his chest. "What is in those gloves of his. That punch was like being hit by a car."

Mei stepped forward suddenly. "There's something I'd like to try... Claire, Michael... you both attack Ranger Ranger... Keep him distracted... I'm going to try something..."

Claire nodded and turned her attention to Ranger Ranger.

She curled her hand into a fist and ice formed around Ranger Ranger's legs.

Michael took the opportunity to get in close. He weaved under Ranger Ranger's punch this time, he threw one of his own, which Ranger Ranger blocked with his arm. The two were locked in fierce combat, a battle of attrition.

Mei yawned and stretched her arms a little. "Claude... you can move objects now... I watched you do it... throw me at Ranger Ranger..."

Claude shook his head. "I can't do that Mei. That was a fluke when that bit of dirt lifted into the air. I'd only end up hurting you, or worse."

Mei shook her head. "You want to win don't you?... then trust me..."

Claude sighed. "No. That's final Mei. You saw what happened to that rock during my practice earlier. What if I disintegrate you?"

Mei yawned. "if you concentrate... I'll be fine..."

"Mei, this is a low stakes battle. Even if we lose here there's no repercussions. Why do you want to beat Ranger Ranger this badly?" Claude looked her in the eyes.

A small smile appeared on Mei's face. "It doesn't matter... I just need to beat him this time..."

"This time? Mei what do you mean?"

"I've fought him before... When I was living with the Golden Regent... Me and Claire fought him in a friendly battle... We lost pretty badly... All he did was chuckle... he made me and Claire promise we'd surpass him some day..."

"I see. So this is a matter of honouring that promise. Okay fine, I'll help you."

Mei nodded. "Something like that... thanks Claude..."

Claude smiled as Mei walked to stand in front of him. "Just lift me up with your power... or however it works... then make sure to fire me directly at Ranger Ranger..."

Claude focused and extended his hand.

Mei began to lightly hover just above the ground. She remained quiet and focused. Ranger Ranger and Michael were still fighting one another. Claire launched various elemental attacks from a distance to slow Ranger Ranger down.

Claude lifted Mei a few feet into the air then flicked his hand forward. Mei went flying toward Ranger Ranger, she extended her own hand, touching his shoulder.

She whispered "Goodnight..." as she crashed into him. Ranger Ranger collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

Mei stood up and dusted herself off. She yawned and everyone else gathered around her. Michael spoke up. "Mei, that was reckless! Don't act like that without briefing anyone about what it is you're trying to do first."

Mei shook her head. "Claire gave me permission... and it worked because we defeated Ranger Ranger..."

Mei tapped the unconscious Ranger Ranger on the shoulder. "Good morning..."

Ranger Ranger woke up and rose to his feet. He nodded and struck a pose. "Well done Regent Squadron. You managed to defeat me, just as I knew you would someday." He turned to Mei and Claire. "You both kept your promise to me. Utilising Mr Falkirk's power to keep me busy was a good move. I admit I've never seen Claude's power used in that way before. That was a spectacle to see. I thank you for this battle. I'll see myself out Regent Squadron. I have a mission to attend to in a moment."

The group left the makeshift battlefield and filed back inside the building.

Mei was in a good mood when the group got inside. "Claude... let's go somewhere special to celebrate..."

Claude looked at her sceptically. "You're not usually one to celebrate, I've always known you to shrug things off."

Mei smiled. "This is different... c'mon... let's go..."