Night falls over Daimon Island. The final hours of Nishima’s threat loom heavy over the uneasy citizens. At the DIPD headquarters, the protests outside have reached their boiling point. The crowd pushes past the barriers, shoving officers aside as they bang on the doors, their chants echoing through the streets.

“GIVE US THE MAYOR!” the crowd roared in unison.

Inside, Kai, Ava, and Hibiki stood near the windows, observing the chaos with growing unease.

“Welp,” Hibiki said, pushing his chair back and stretching. “Looks like we’re doing something.”

“Relax, Hibiki,” Captain Sanders said, stepping into the room with his usual calm authority. “I’ve got this.”

Without hesitation, Captain Sanders pushed open the front door and walked directly into the mob. The buzzing crowd hushed slightly, watching as Sierra Reeds, with her microphone in hand, approached him quickly.

“Captain Sanders,” Sierra said, her tone sharp and expectant. “Do you have anything to say to the people of Daimon during this desperate time?”

“Yes, I do,” he said, his voice steady and confident. Turning to address the crowd, he raised his hand.

“People of Daimon,” Sanders began. “In our darkest hour, we cannot afford to be divided. That’s what the enemy wants, chaos among ourselves. Instead, we must stand as one. We must support each other, no matter how angry or desperate we feel. That’s the only way we survive this. We fight as one, and if it’s fated, we lose as one.

His words silenced the crowd. Hundreds of eyes locked on him, the chaos melting into quiet respect. Sanders took a final glance at them before turning and walking back inside without another word.

When he walks back in, the rookies are there to greet him.

“Amazing, Captain!” Avav says, her eyes wide with awe.

Suddenly, the crowd erupts into cheers again, their attention shifting to the doors. Kenta strides in, carrying a knocked-out Ryota in handcuffs, with Rei following behind.

“Yo, guys,” Kenta says casually. “What’d I miss?”

***

At the border of the medical sector, the evacuation continued smoother now as the final waves of citizens made their way to safety.

Ski Reeds stood with her camera rolling, recording the scene of controlled chaos. Just then, a soft swishing noise caught her attention. She turned and looked up just in time to see Yamato soaring overhead with his guns holstered, flying deeper into the sector.

“Yamato?” she murmured in surprise.

Before she could process what she’d seen, Yuto blazed past the crowd on his black and gray motorcycle, moving too fast for anyone to stop him. His cape rippled in the wind, flowing like a shadow as he disappeared into the sector.

Stolen story; please report.

The two met up moments later outside a building labeled "Crystalfall Laboratory." The structure, three stories high, gleamed white and blue, sparkling faintly in the moonlight like crystals.

Yuto and Yamato surveyed the area, assessing their options.

“Hmm, a little less guarded than I expected,” Yamato muttered, his breath ragged as he fought through the pain from his previous battle.

“He’s probably got the inside secured,” Yuto replied, stepping off his motorcycle. “If he stationed men outside, it’d draw too much attention.”

“Yeah… that makes sense.” Yamato nodded, but his body betrayed him, trembling slightly as exhaustion took hold. “The senior detectives are working on the bombs. All we have to do is take out Nishima.”

Yuto glanced at Yamato, his sharp eyes noticing how weak the younger detective had become. “I’ll deal with Nishima,” Yuto said firmly. “You go find Riku.”

“What? No way. You’ll need my help!”

“You’re barely standing,” Yuto countered. “You won’t last long if you push yourself. And don’t forget,I'm on borrowed time too. The withdrawal symptoms from Nishima’s drug will hit me soon enough.”

“Then why not let me help?” Yamato protested.

“Because if this goes south, Riku has to be secured,” Yuto said, his voice level but firm. “If I fail, or if the bombs detonate, Riku has to survive. The senior detectives can handle the rest.”

Yamato clenched his fists, reluctant but understanding. “Fine,” he said after a pause. “I’ll let Riku know we’re here. She’s not a fighter, but any backup is good. Plus there might be a chance they finished working on a cure. But you better take him down.”

“That’s the plan,” Yuto said as he walked toward the building's entrance. “Nishima’s probably on the top floor. Wait for me to clear the guards before you move in.”

“Right!”

***

On the third floor of Crystalfall Laboratory, armed guards filled every corner of the room, patrolling with their rifles at the ready. The floor was sectioned off by thick walls, forcing narrow lines of sight and limiting entrances.

“Just one more hour,” one of the guards said casually, fidgeting with his weapon. “Then I can get more of that stuff.”

“Shut it,” another snapped. “Anything could happen. One of those damn detectives could crash in here at any moment.”

“Oh, please,” another guard added from the back. “You’re not actually scared of that Black Knight nonsense, are you? That encounter was just a coincidence.”

The group chuckled nervously, until the shatter of glass silenced them all.

Without warning, Yuto burst through the window, crashing into the room like a storm! Gunfire erupted instantly, bullets flying as the guards scrambled to take him out. But Yuto was faster. He dove into a guard, wrenching the weapon from his hands, and sent the man flying into a cluster of others with a devastating punch.

The remaining guards turned their fire on him, but Yuto moved like a blur, ducking and weaving between bullets! He struck with brutal precision, taking out multiple guards simultaneously before grabbing another and hurling him across the room.

One guard rushed Yuto from behind, but he turned, grabbed the man by his collar, and slammed him into the wall with such force that it collapsed into the adjacent room, taking another group of guards with it.

As the chaos continued, Yuto methodically dismantled the guards, leaving them with no chance to regroup. In mere moments, the last guard fell, unconscious to the floor. The room fell silent, save for the sound of Yuto catching his breath.

Yuto turned toward a door leading to the final section of the floor. He pushed it open and stepped inside.

There, standing by the window, was Nishima. His silhouette was framed by the moonlight as he stared out into the night, turning only slightly as Yuto entered.

“It’s over, Nishima!” Yuto growled. “This ends now!”

Nishima smirked, finally turning to face him. “I agree, ‘Black Knight.’ THIS IS THE END!”