Sophie, Siegfried, and Rosika would now have to hunt werewolves... They had prepared themselves thoroughly.
Sophie: "Alright... Let's get ready."
Rosika: "Yeah."
Siegfried: "Okay."
They left the station.
Sophie: "So... now we just have to wait until it gets dark... Werewolves don't attack during early dawn..."
Siegfried: "I see..."
Rosika: "And what do we do until then?"
Sophie: "I know a place... where we can rest..."
(A few minutes later)
Siegfried: "Huh?"
Rosika: "Hmm?"
Siegfried: "This little house?... It's really old."
Sophie: "What's with you all of a sudden?... Did you expect a luxury hotel, my dear?... This house is close to both the forest and the city. It's a good place to keep watch... Let's go inside."
They went in.
Sophie: "Hahh... Isn't it peaceful?... (Sniffs)... (Cough)... And it smells nice."
Siegfried: "I don't think it smells nice if you're holding your nose... Only one of us is blind."
Rosika: "(Sweats)... Mean."
Sophie: "Alright... you little caramel mice... Sit down and relax..."
Siegfried: "Nah, don't feel like it."
Sophie: "Hm?"
Sophie smiled.
Sophie: "That wasn't a request."
She pulled out a huge hammer.
Sophie: "Sit down. Now!"
Siegfried: "Wooow... Alright, alright."
He sat down... Since there wasn't enough room, Rosika sat on his lap.
Siegfried: "Whoa."
Rosika: "Sorry... no space."
Sophie: "Sooo... Hmm... What do we have here?"
She opened the cabinet. A spider jumped onto her.
Sophie: "Ugh... A spider... How cool."
Siegfried: "Ugh..."
Sophie: "Hehe... Surprised?... I'm not afraid of spiders... Unlike Marcus or Fiona... Hehehe... Those two always hugged each other whenever there were spiders around."
Rosika: "Oh... So that means... Fiona only acts strict and strong... but actually she's... like a little girl?"
Sophie: "Not exactly... Hehehe... Fiona and Marcus both... well... let's just say... they always want to stay serious... But if you want to see a different side of them... just bring out a spider... Marcus will run away, and Fiona will cling to me or someone else... Marcus, like I said, just runs... Sometimes he even curls up in a corner. Hehehe... Whenever he did, he'd start saying, 'It's just a dream, Marcus... It's just a dream... Don't worry... Just stay cool...'"
Rosika: "Oh."
Siegfried: "I see."
Rosika: "And what exactly does Fiona do?"
Sophie: "Well... she clings to people... screams... and says things like, 'No... no... stay away... I hate spiders... please...' Something like that. Hehehe... They both look adorable when they do that."
Siegfried: "(Sweats)... Okay..."
Sophie: "So... Umm... Rosika... Doesn't it really bother you sitting on Siegfried's lap?"
Rosika: "Why?"
Sophie: "Well... Never mind... Hmm... Take this chair instead."
Rosika: "Okay."
She got down.
Siegfried: "Whoa..."
And she sat on the chair.
Sophie: "Tell me, you two... You really get along well, don't you?"
Rosika: "Huh?... Well... Siegfried is nice to me..."
Sophie: "Hmm?... Come to think of it, Siegfried... It's actually pretty rare to meet someone like you... You treat her well... Why?"
Rosika: "Hmm?"
Siegfried: "A lady is a lady, whether she's blind or not... Whether she can walk or not... As long as she doesn't have anything down there..."
Sophie: "Oh man... That started out sounding so cool... and then you completely ruined it... Oh well."
Rosika: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Here, you two... These are sandwiches... I made them for us. If you want more, just say so."
Siegfried: "How many did you even make, if I may ask?"
She pulled out a bag.
Rosika: "Umm..."
Siegfried: "Umm..."
Sophie: "One... for food."
(Thud)
Sophie: "And one... for tools."
Siegfried: "Seriously... How do you carry all that?... Isn't it heavy?"
Sophie: "Huh?... Hehe... I've got muscles, my dear. Look."
She flexed.
Siegfried: "Ugh... Surprisingly... yeah."
Sophie: "Well... I'm athletic... Hehe... I can work out... I'm not someone who needs a cane just to walk like Fiona... Hehehe."
Siegfried: "(Sweats)... Umm... Okay... I'll take one then."
Rosika: "Me too."
They each took one and started eating.
Sophie: "Hmm..."
Afterward they relaxed... Rosika leaned against Sophie's shoulder... and Siegfried lay down on the mat.
(A few hours later)
Sophie: "Hmm..."
Rosika: "(Zzzz)... Mmm..."
Siegfried: "(Snoring)..."
Sophie: "Alright... (Yawns)... It's time."
Siegfried: "(Snoring)..."
Sophie: "Hey, you two."
Siegfried: "Hmm?"
Rosika: "Huh?"
Sophie: "Time to wake up."
Rosika: "Oh... Mmm."
Sophie: "Come on, sleepyhead. Hehe... You can go back to sleep later."
Sophie kissed her forehead.
Sophie: "Come on now."
Rosika: "Okay..."
She stood up.
Siegfried: "Alright, let's head outside."
(Creak)
He opened the door...
Standing right in front of him... was a massive wall of fur.
Siegfried: "Umm..."
Sophie: "Ugh... Close the door!"
He slammed it shut immediately.
(Bang!)
Sophie: "Damn it..."
Siegfried: "Why... was there a werewolf standing there?"
Rosika: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Ugh... Shhhh... Stay still for a second."
Sophie slowly approached the door.
Sophie: "Hmm..."
She lay down on the floor. There was a hole underneath the door. She pulled out her pistol and aimed.
Sophie: "Alright... I hope this works..."
(Bang!)
Werewolf: "Rooooooaaaaarrrrrr!!"
It ran off.
Sophie: "Hahh... At least... now we can get outside."
They stepped outside.
Sophie: "He's injured... They regenerate quickly, but these bullets are made of ash and salt. That causes pain... and slows their regeneration... So let's go."
They walked into the crowd.
Sophie: "Hmm..."
(Beep... Beep!)
The werewolf detector began warning them.
Sophie: "Oh..."
Rosika: "Huh?"
(Beep... Beep... Beep!)
Sophie: "Ugh..."
She held the device toward the crowd.
Sophie: "Ugh."
Siegfried: "What's wrong?"
Sophie: "Guys... We're not standing in a crowd of humans... hunting a werewolf... We're standing in... a crowd of werewolves... hunting humans..."
She hid the device.
Sophie: "Come on."
She grabbed the two of them and hid.
Sophie: "What is going on here..."
Siegfried: "What is it?"
Sophie: "It's not just one werewolf... There are dozens... At least a hundred."
Rosika: "What?!"
Sophie: "This isn't good... But I only want us to look for the injured one... Rosika... your sense of smell is better than mine... Do you smell anything?"
Rosika: "No... Just that Sophie... smells like sweat."
Sophie: "Hey... Why are you smelling me?"
Rosika: "They're standing in front of me... I can sense them."
Sophie: "Hah... Whatever... Hmm..."
Siegfried: "I smell blood."
Sophie: "Oh... Right. Your nose is even better. Where's the blood?"
Siegfried: "Behind those buildings... over there."
Sophie: "Okay... Let's follow it."
They headed in that direction.
Sophie: "Hmm..."
Rosika: "...Huh..."
(Thump!) (Thump!)
Rosika: "I sense... a dark aura... Sophie."
Sophie looked up and shoved the other two away.
Sophie: "Watch out!"
(Crash!)
Sophie: "Ghh."
Werewolf: "...Hehehehe... Two chicks... and one guy... with long hair... A femboy??"
Siegfried: "Screw you... Do you have to be a femboy just because you've got long hair?!"
Sophie: "You're wearing earrings."
Siegfried: "So?"
Rosika: "And you're wearing a flower necklace."
Werewolf: "(Sweats)... Umm..."
Sophie: "Hey, you. Stay right there. I'm warning you. Don't move."
Werewolf: "Or what?... You'll shoot me?... Hahh... Go ahead..."
(Bang!)
Werewolf: "Urk..."
Sophie: "Well then... Acting tough in front of a gun... is pretty stupid."
Werewolf: "Urk... What kind of... bullets... are these..."
Sophie: "Buddy... Just stay still and answer a few questions..."
Werewolf: "No... Rooooaaaarrr!!"
Rosika: "Thorn Prison."
Numerous roots and thorns wrapped around him... then froze solid.
Rosika: "Ghhh..."
Blood flowed from her eyes.
Rosika: "He... he's... strong..."
Sophie: "Hold on..."
Siegfried: "Hey, werewolf. Were you the one who killed these people?"
They showed him the photograph.
Werewolf: "Huh?... I don't kill humans."
Sophie: "Hahahaha... You're a werewolf."
Werewolf: "I'm serious... Ghhh... It wasn't me..."
Siegfried: "Then why did you storm that house?"
Werewolf: "Rorrrr... I didn't know anyone was inside... I was hungry... And I smelled... sandwiches..."
Sophie: "(Sweats)... Oh... Yeah... That actually makes sense."
Rosika: "...Ghh... Sophie... Hurry..."
Sophie: "Who could it be... Hmm?"
Werewolf: "No idea... Now let me go..."
Sophie: "Hmm... Hahh... My dear... This device... says that you eat humans too."
Werewolf: "Rooooooaaaarrrrr!! I do eat humans... and I'll eat all of you if you don't free me! Roooaarrr!"
He struggled violently.
Rosika: "Aaaaaaarghhh!"
Sophie: "Ugh... Rosika..."
Blood poured from Rosika's eyes and ears.
Werewolf: "Roooooooaaaaaarrrrrrr!!"
Rosika: "...Bleargh."
She collapsed, coughing up blood. Siegfried caught her.
Siegfried: "Ugh... Rosika."
Rosika: "Ugh... (Coughs)..."
Sophie: "Damn it!!"
(Bang!)
She shot him.
Werewolf: "Rorrr... Did you really think those thorns were enough to hold me?... I didn't kill the people in that photo... but I don't care either... I'm going to eat you first... redhead..."
Sophie: "Go ahead and try."
He charged at her. She leaped over him.
Werewolf: "What?"
Sophie: "I'm more athletic. Better give up."
She aimed at his neck and fired.
(Bang!)
Werewolf: "Aaaaaaarghhh... Urk... Aaaaarghhh..."
He collapsed.
Werewolf: "Urk... Ghhh..."
Sophie: "Now then..."
Werewolf: "I had nothing... to do with it... It must've been... Batista..."
Sophie: "Batista?"
Werewolf: "Hahh... Forget it... You don't stand a chance against him... He's strong..."
Sophie: "Fine... What does he look like?"
Werewolf: "No idea... Unlike me... He can change his human appearance however he wants... As long as it's one of his victims."
Sophie: "I see... Thanks, Wolfie."
She shot him in the back.
He screamed...
...and died.
Sophie: "How is she?"
Siegfried: "She's alright... She just used too many thorns."
Rosika: "Ugh... Hhhh... I'm okay..."
She slowly stood up.
Rosika: "...Sophie... These creatures... are really strong... I could even smell his killing intent."
Siegfried: "I see... You can smell things like that too?"
Rosika: "My thorns... help me do that... Flowers are stronger than people think... and smarter than people think."
Sophie: "Good... At least finding him just got a little easier... Batista, huh..."
Siegfried: "He can change his appearance whenever he wants?"
Sophie: "Yeah... Werewolves can only imitate humans... They can take on a human form."
Siegfried: "How are we supposed to find him?"
Sophie: "No idea... Investigation, probably."
Rosika: "Hmm... I assume... he'd feel darker... than the others."
Sophie: "Not necessarily... Plants can sense that... but don't they have their limits?"
Rosika: "Hmm... If a flower... or a thorn flower... can't sense it... then that means... the wolf... is very good at hiding... his evil intentions."
Sophie: "Hmm..."
Siegfried: "This is going to be difficult."
Sophie: "We need someone's help..."
Siegfried: "Marcus?"
Sophie: "No... I heard Rio and Colletta are nearby... Maybe... they can help us... Colletta and Rio are even known as werewolf hunters."
(A few minutes later)
Ms. Valentine: "So you want Colletta and Rio's help?"
Sophie: "Yeah. Is that possible?"
Ms. Valentine: "As for that... no. Colletta is sick... and Rio won't lift a finger or even move without Sise."
Sophie: "I understand... Okay... Then I'll handle it myself."
She hung up.
Sophie: "Hahh... What a pain..."
Siegfried: "Hmm."
Rosika: "But Sophie... you're really good too... so... I think you can do it."
Sophie: "Hahh... I don't know if I'm good enough for this mission... I'm not a Crow anymore... and I was even called the weakest Crow... It's even written in the documents."
Siegfried: "Then it's time to prove them wrong."
Rosika: "Yeah... Show them why they were wrong about you... Remember... you're really cool."
Sophie: "Hmm... Okay... Okay, you two... Let's head back for now... We'll sleep in the little house again... As for the sandwiches... just put garlic or mayonnaise on them. Werewolves don't like it."
Siegfried: "Okay."
(A few minutes later)
Siegfried: "(Snoring)..."
Rosika: "(Zzzz)..."
Rosika slept on Sophie's shoulder...
Sophie: "Hmm... (Yawns)... I have to find a way... to locate this Batista... Hmm..."
Siegfried: "(Snoring)... Mmm."
Rosika: "(Zzzz)... Mmm."
Sophie: "Those two are getting closer and closer... Hehe."
She gently stroked Rosika's shoulder.
Sophie: "Well... I think we should sleep now. Soon it'll be late afternoon... We'll gather information... and keep investigating until dawn."
She fell asleep.
(Seven and a half hours later)
Sophie: "(Yawns)... H-hhhh... Hey, Rosika... Time to wake up."
Rosika: "Hmm?"
She sat up.
Rosika: "Mmm... Just five more minutes..."
She lay back down on Sophie's shoulder.
Sophie: "(Yawns)... Come on now... Rosika..."
She gently stroked her head.
Sophie: "You too, Siegfri... Huh?... Where is he?"
Rosika: "Huh?"
Sophie: "Huh?"
Rosika rubbed her eyes.
Rosika: "(Yawns)... Oh right... I heard him complaining... because he had to take a dump."
Sophie: "(Sweats)... O...kay..."
Siegfried came back outside.
Siegfried: "Oh... There you are..."
Sophie: "Where were you?"
Siegfried: "Had to use the bathroom... But then I noticed the pharmacy was open, so I picked this up..."
He pulled out a box of pills.
Sophie: "Oh... Those are stomach ache pills... Who are they for?"
Siegfried: "Hmm... For you and Rosika... Rosika keeps getting stomach aches."
Rosika: "Thank you."
Sophie: "I guess that's good... I've been having problems too... Thanks, Siegfried."
Siegfried: "No problem."
(Meanwhile)
Fiona: "Hmm."
She was sitting on the couch watching television.
Fiona: "(Yawns)... Man... It's really nice being on vacation... But without Sophie, Siegfried, and Rosika... it's not nearly as fun..."
Lina: "Oh... Fiona..."
Fiona: "Ugh... Lina..."
Lina: "Wait... Hehe... Stay there... You don't have to get up."
She sat down beside her.
Lina: "...I know you feel guilty about my arm... but it wasn't your fault... Sophie already told me everything."
Fiona: "Yeah... But... I should've taken it with me."
Lina: "No... We were the ones who took it... There's no reason for you to feel so sad... I'm a veterinarian, Fiona... And with this arm... I killed people... My arm isn't innocent... and neither am I."
Fiona: "Hmm."
Lina: "Are you bored?"
Fiona: "Yeah..."
Lina: "Then let's go to the library today. How about it?"
Fiona: "I'd love to."
Lina: "Okay. Hehe."
(Meanwhile)
Sophie: "Hello... I'd like to know more about the murder cases."
Police Officer: "Hmm... Alright... And you are?"
Sophie: "Sophie Valeria... Detective of the Dark Umbrella... These two, Siegfried and Rosika, are as well."
Police Officer: "Identification."
They handed over their IDs. After a short while, he gave them back.
Police Officer: "Alright. Good. Follow me."