Lenny stepped back into the lab, sleeves rolled up, expression sharpening into focus.
He gestured toward the baskets.
"Alright, let's get to work."
One by one, the Green Lily flowers were fed into a humming shredder machine, petals and stems grinding down into a fine, glowing pulp.
A thick, luminescent liquid trickled out from the machine's base, collecting steadily into a series of glass containers.
Another scientist carefully carried one of the containers over, pouring a portion into a smooth white bowl, setting it gently on Lenny's desk.
Lenny pulled on a pair of protective gloves, adjusting his glasses as he leaned over the bowl.
"Let's see what we're working with today."
He dipped a small dropper into the glowing liquid, extracting a precise amount.
Carefully, he added it to a separate testing vial, mixing it with a secondary chemical compound.
The liquid inside shifted color instantly — a deep violet swirling through the glowing green.
Lenny's eyes narrowed with interest.
"Interesting..."
He jotted quick notes into a nearby ledger.
"Stability's holding steady so far."
He reached for another vial, testing a different combination this time.
This one hissed sharply, releasing a thin trail of smoke.
Lenny jerked back instinctively.
"Whoa—too volatile."
He waved the fumes away, coughing slightly, before scribbling more notes.
"Cross that one off."
He continued methodically, testing combination after combination, carefully measuring durability, potency, and reactivity, murmuring calculations under his breath as the experiments stretched on.
One of the scientists glanced over cautiously.
"Any luck yet, sir?"
Lenny exhaled, rubbing his temples.
"Getting closer."
"Noxus wants this batch stronger than the last."
"Can't afford to disappoint her."
He turned back to his work, sleeves still rolled up, fully absorbed in the delicate, glowing experiments spread across his desk.
An alarm blared sharply through the base.
A scientist rushed in, breathless.
"Sir! We have enemies at the door!"
Lenny didn't even look up from his experiment, waving a hand dismissively.
"Then?"
"Go deal with them."
"I'm focusing here."
The scientist hesitated for a split second, then nodded quickly, hurrying out of the lab toward the source of the commotion.
Outside, chaos had already erupted.
Rin moved like a blur, blade flashing as he sliced clean through a row of delicate equipment, sparks and shattered glass scattering across the floor.
Scientists scrambled to intercept him, weapons raised.
Rin smirked, spinning his blade casually.
"Come on, then."
He lunged forward, cutting down the first scientist who got too close, sidestepping a wild swing from another.
"Didn't think you guys would actually try to stop me with test tubes and clipboards."
One scientist fired a shot, narrowly missing as Rin twisted aside.
"Careful with that thing—you'll break something important."
He closed the distance rapidly, disarming the shooter with a swift strike, sending the weapon clattering across the floor.
Another scientist shouted toward the back rooms.
"We need backup out here!"
Rin's grin widened, blade raised, standing confidently amidst the growing chaos.
"Yeah."
"You're gonna need it."
Kaito dropped silently from above, landing on the balcony, blade flashing as he sliced cleanly across a scientist's throat before the man could even react.
The body crumpled instantly.
Saito landed beside him a moment later, sword drawn, eyes sharp with focus.
"Search the area."
He glanced around quickly.
"We need to find any information on Alya's location."
Kaito nodded firmly, already moving toward the nearest doorway.
"On it."
Meanwhile, deeper inside, Fanny burst through another door, claws extended, taking down two scientists in rapid succession.
She grabbed a third by the collar, hurling him bodily through a nearby window.
CRASH!
Glass shattered outward, the scientist's scream fading into the chaos below.
Fanny dusted her hands off, glancing around the ransacked room.
"Alright..."
Her eyes landed on a cluttered desk, papers and files scattered haphazardly.
She moved quickly, rifling through drawers, tossing aside irrelevant documents.
"Come on... give me something useful..."
Saito's voice echoed from another room. "Anything yet?"
Fanny called back, still searching. "Not yet! Give me a second!"
She pulled open another drawer, eyes scanning rapidly.
Then—
Her fingers stopped on a folder marked with Sector X's insignia.
She flipped it open quickly, eyes widening.
"Wait..."
Her heart pounded.
"I think I found something!"
Bomb walked over, arm still in its sling, peering over Fanny's shoulder at the file.
He scanned it quickly, brow furrowing.
"Yeah, but..."
He tapped the page.
"This only narrows it down to Haruki Village."
Saito's face fell slightly.
"Crap—"
He rubbed his temple.
"We already knew they were somewhere in Haruki."
Fanny's ears drooped, guilt flashing across her face.
"Sorry..."
Saito shook his head quickly, offering a reassuring pat on her shoulder.
"Hey, it's okay."
He managed a small, determined smile.
"At least it confirms we're on the right track."
He glanced around the ransacked room.
"Now we just need the actual lab location."
Before Fanny could respond—
"Saito!"
Kaito's voice rang out sharply from below.
"I found one!"
Saito's eyes lit up instantly.
"Coming!"
He turned, sprinting toward the sound of Kaito's voice, boots pounding rapidly against the floor as he made his way downstairs.
Fanny and Bomb exchanged a quick glance before following close behind, urgency renewed with every step.
Saito burst into the lower level, eyes scanning quickly until he spotted Kaito crouched over an open cabinet, holding up a folded document.
"What'd you find?"
Kaito's expression was tense, focused.
"Coordinates."
He handed the paper over.
"Might be exactly what we need."
A voice called out from the doorway.
"Hey, Blue Scarf."
Saito spun around, blade raised.
His eyes landed on the man standing there.
"...Lenny."
Lenny raised both hands slowly, sweat beading on his forehead.
"You're looking for your comrades, aren't you?"
Saito's grip tightened. "You planning to expose them?"
Lenny swallowed hard.
"If it means saving my own life..."
He gestured shakily toward the glowing green vial still clutched in his hand.
"This—this is the liquid extracted from the Green Lily."
"One of her weapons' power sources."
Kaito stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
"Don't play games with us."
Lenny shook his head frantically.
"I'm not—I swear—"
"This can show you exactly how to defeat her!"
Saito's expression hardened.
"What I want right now..."
He stepped closer, voice low and dangerous.
"...is Noxus's base location."
Lenny hesitated, glancing nervously between them, lips trembling.
"I—it's near—"
CRACK!
A single gunshot rang out.
Lenny's body jerked violently, eyes going wide before he collapsed.
"Lenny—!"
Saito's eyes widened in shock.
Rin lunged forward instantly, catching Lenny's limp body before it hit the ground.
"Crap—"
He lowered him gently, already knowing it was too late.
"We lost him."
Saito let out a sharp breath, spinning around, scanning the room frantically.
"Kaito—find the shooter—"
"No need."
Rin's voice cut through, low and grim.
He was staring down at Lenny's neck.
Saito turned toward him quickly. "What is it?"
Rin pointed, jaw tightening.
"Here."
Embedded just beneath the skin of Lenny's neck was a small, hidden mechanism—barely visible, sleek and metallic.
"...Some kind of tiny device."
"Built like a gun."
Saito let out a frustrated breath, running a hand through his hair.
"Great."
"We just lost our best shot at real information."
Kaito's eyes drifted toward the glowing green liquid still clutched in Lenny's lifeless hand.
He crouched down, carefully picking it up, studying it closely.
"Actually..."
His expression sharpened.
"We could still use this."
Saito glanced at the vial, curiosity mixing with cautious hope.
"How so?"
Bomb stepped forward, arm still in its sling, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
"Sector X is gonna want this back eventually, right?"
He nodded toward the vial.
"They'll come looking for it."
"Or..."
His eyes glinted with an idea.
"...we could deliver it to them ourselves."
Saito raised an eyebrow, processing the idea quickly.
"So we're basically saying..."
A small, sharp grin tugged at his lips.
"...we become the delivery boys?"
Bomb grinned back, nodding firmly.
"Exactly."
"Walk right up, offer the goods..."
He cracked his knuckles.
"...and follow them straight back to their base."
Kaito's expression turned thoughtful, weighing the risk. "It's dangerous. If they figure out it's a trap—"
"Then we improvise," Saito cut in, determination blazing in his eyes.
He glanced around at his crew, resolve settling firmly into place.
"Right now, this is the best lead we have."
Fanny crossed her arms, smirking slightly despite the tension. "Guess we're playing bait now."
Saito nodded firmly.
"Exactly."
"Let's get back to Alpha and Hashima."
"We've got a plan to figure out."