Last time Astro met the representatives of SWORD, those individuals being Kuma, Ginny, and their Daughter Bonney. However there was also the presence of the rather standoffish Ratchet. Astro and Bonney went off on their own while the adults conversed amongst themselves. However an unknown figure has snuck their way onto Egghead Island.

Astro and Bonney were seated in the laboratory's cafeteria, Astro was tinkering with a small device he was working on while Bonney was eating. However what had completely caught Astro off guard was just how much Bonney was capable of eating. Bonney easily had enough food on her plate for two adults, yet at the rate she was eating all of it, she would still need more. "I don't get why that Ratchet guy has to be such a jerk!" Bonney whined before she stuffed a hamburger in her mouth rather unceremoniously. Astro looked up from the device he was tinkering with, directing a concerned look at the young girl. "Don't let his words bother you Bonney, some people are merely inconsiderate of how others feel." Astro said in a calm tone, despite his own frustrations with the rather stuck up robotics expert.

Astro was about to return his attention towards the device he was tinkering with when he heard a distressed sniffle. Astro's attention snapped back to Bonney, who had tears running down her face. "I-Is what he said true? Am I just in the way?" Bonney whimpered as she looked towards Astro for an answer. Astro's mind immediately went into panic mode, he had forgotten just how young Bonney is and how much more hurtful Ratchet's words must have been for her. "Bonney, look at me." Astro said gently as the distressed girl locked eyes with him, tears still spilling down her face. Astro gently patted Bonney on top of the head, giving her his best supportive smile. "Bonney, your parents adore you, even an imbecile could see that. If they actually believed what that ignoramus Ratchet said, they wouldn't have brought you with them." Astro said gently as he continued to run his hand through her hair soothingly.

Bonney's sniffles turned into watery giggles at Astro using silly sounding words to talk about Ratchet. "So I'm not in the way?" Bonney asked in a more hopeful tone as she let a tiny smile spread across her face. Astro let a smile of his own spread across his face as he ruffled Bonney's hair, earning a giggle from the little girl. "You could never be in the way, I for one find your company wonderful." Astro said with another reassuring smile on his face. Bonney leaped across the table, tackling Astro into a tight hug. "You're the best Astro!" Bonney cheered happily as she snuggled her head into his shoulder. Astro chuckled as he gently rubbed Bonney's back. The moment however was interrupted by the automatic doors to the cafeteria sliding open. Astro and Bonney both turned towards the door to see who entered, only to find no one.

"Bonney, wait here." Astro said firmly as he gently set Bonney down on his chair before walking towards the open cafeteria door. Astro peeked out into the hallway, looking down both the left and right sides of the hallway, seeing no one. "Seems the door's sensor malfunctioned." Astro said over his shoulder at Bonney with a relieved smile on his face. However as soon as he said that, Astro felt himself get grabbed before he was enveloped in a bright light, the teenager scientist disappearing from the hallway in an instant. "ASTRO!" Bonney shouted in worry as she leaped off her chair and ran towards the open doorway, frantically looking around the hallway for Astro. Despite her best efforts, Bonney saw no signs of Astro. "I need to go tell one of the Punks!" Bonney mumbled to herself a look of determination spreading across her face as she ran down the hallway in search of one of the Punks.

Lab 02
Within the personal laboratory of Lilith, the short haired female Punk was seen working with York of all people. "I still don't see why I was paired up with you of all people for this project." Lilith grumbled as she shot a sideways glare at the taller woman. York let out a bored yawn before she directed a lazy side glance at her fellow Punk. "I'm not exactly thrilled about this arrangement either, at least Edison and Pythagoras let me doze off and take a nap or two." York whined in a half hearted attempt at an annoyed tone. Lilith clenched her fist tightly around the wrench she was holding, using every ounce of her willpower to not beat her fellow Punk over the head with it. Before Lilith could make another biting remark however, the door to the lab sliding out grabbed the attention of both scientists.

Lilith and York both looked towards the open door, their eyes widening in shock at the sight of Bonney, tears running down the little girls's face. "Bonney! What happened?!" York said, concern evident in her voice as she ran up to the little girl and crouched down next to her, gently petting the top of her head. Lilith rolled her eyes, York always had a soft spot for kids, probably because all they did was sleep and eat like she did most of the time. "A-Astro! S-Some weird light made him disappear!" Bonney whimpered as both Lilith and York's eyes widened in shock, if someone took Astro hostage, that meant they had an intruder. "How the hell did someone break into Egghead Island?! Our security should've detected them even with radar jamming devices!" Lilith snarled, frustrated someone had the gall to break into their laboratory.

York's mind raced, it didn't add up, there was no technology in existence that could jam or scramble their security detectors. "It should be impossible, unless...." York's expression darkened as a thought crossed her mind, one that completely infuriated her to her very core. York turned towards Lilith, locking eyes with her, the other female scientist flinching under the hate filled gaze in the taller woman's eyes. "It must be a supernatural being, magic is the one thing our security system cannot detect." York growled, her face only seemingly contorting further into a hate filled expression at the mention of Supernaturals and Magic. Lilith's eyes widened in shock before her eyes narrowed in anger as well. "The one thing that doesn't play by the conventional rules of physics, the laws of nature, or engineering. Of course we can't create something that detects a type of energy that breaks all rules." Lilith snarled as she threw her wrench across the room, it smacking against the wall before clattering to the ground.

Bonney let out another whimper as she was scared that Astro was in some form of serious danger. "I'm going to search for Astro and vaporize whoever decided to take him hostage." Lilith snarled as she walked over to the wall of her lab before pressing a button as a secret compartment opened up. Lilith then grabbed a rifle with a polished wooden stock, and a barrel that ended in a funnel, multiple metal tubes and pieces of tech adorning the weapon.

"I'll begin checking the security cameras and notify Dr. Vegapunk of the intruder." York said as she marched over to the monitor within the laboratory. Lilith nodded her head before she began marching out of the lab, only to be stopped by Bonney standing in her path. "I'm going with you! I wanna make sure Astro is okay!" Bonney said in a determined tone as she locked eyes with Lilith. Lilith shot a glare at Bonney, she didn't have time for this nonsense.

"Not happening, the last thing I need is to be on your father's bad side!" Lilith snapped before she gently pushed Bonney to the side before storming out of the laboratory. Bonney let out a whimper as fresh tears started to well up in her eyes. "Bonney, come here and help me search the security cameras. There are a lot to comb through and I could use an extra set of eyes." York said in a gentle tone as she shot the pink haired girl a friendly smirk over her shoulder. Bonney quickly ran up next to York, who gave her a gentle pat on the head before they both began scanning the monitors. As they did, a frustrated expression spread across York's face. "So some supernatural thinks they can waltz onto our island and steal from our lab because technology can't detect magic? You have no idea who you've crossed." York thought to herself bitterly as she began scanning every security camera.

With Astro
Astro found himself pressed up against the wall of a hallway within a deeper part of the laboratory. Standing in front of him, pinning him to the wall was a woman with black hair and bright yellow eyes, she wore a black kimono that certainly revealed a more then average amount of cleavage, a yellow sash with large gold spheres was wrapped around her waist, a pair of sandals adorned her feet. The most notable feature however were the cat ears and two cat tails on her body.

"I expected to capture one of the scientists, I was not expecting a young man to be here. Not that I'm complaining, you are rather cute." The woman purred, as she leaned her face in closer to Astro's face. Astro however could sense the danger in the woman's tone despite the flirtatious statement she made to him. "Cat ears, twin cat tails, she's a Nekomata, a Yokai. How did she sneak past Egghead's defenses?" Astro thought to himself as he continued to closely study the woman. "Whats the matter? Did this cat catch your tongue? It's flattering to know I have that effect on you." Kuroka purred as she gently pet the left side of Astro's face.

Astro's body tensed up when he felt the touch of this strange woman, any doubts he had about her being dangerous immediately went out the window. "W-What exactly do you want?" Astro asked, trying and failing at hiding his feet in his tone of voice. A catlike grin spread across the woman's face. "My name is Kuroka, and I need you to open a door for me. I could blast it down with my magic, but that would set off every alarm in this lab. I'd much prefer an easy get away." Kuroka purred again as she ran her index finger along Astro's chin, fully aware he was terrified at the moment. "She needs me to open a door? I could attempt making a hasty retreat. However with her magic, she could easily strike me down. However there is no guarantee she will let me live after I help her." Astro thought to himself as he began mentally going over his options.

Astro tensed up again when Kuroka's index finger gently glided down the side of his neck. "Are you afraid I'll kill you once you give me what I want? Don't worry handsome, I detest killing unless the individual in question absolutely deserves it. You are of no threat, I simply desire your help in opening the door." Kuroka purred as her feline like eyes locked with Astro's. Despite her behavior and unsettling demeanor, Astro could at the very least tell she was being honest about not desiring to kill him. "While it's not ideal, I should play along for the time being until grandpa or the Punks realize what is happening." Astro thought to himself as he let his body relax if only slightly. "Very well, you win. I will assist in opening the door." Astro said in a defeated tone as he surrendered himself to Kuroka.

The Nekomata woman smiled as she stepped back from Astro before grabbing him by his left arm. "Splendid! Thank you for making this so painless. Now then we should make our way to the vault before anyone realizes I have snuck in." Kuroka said as a purple magic circle appeared underneath the duo. "What in the world?" Astro said before in a flash of light both of them teleported away to another section of the laboratory. A moment later Lilith rounded the counter with her Ion Rifle aimed down the hallway. However she let out a groan of frustration when she found no one waiting there. "Dammit! This rat is quick!" Lilith snarled to herself as she rested her Ion Rifle across her shoulder. Lilith then felt her earpiece crackle to life as she rested her free hand on it.

          "Lilith, the Nekomata teleported Astro and herself to the Devil Fruit Storage Vault. Get over there as quickly as possible, I'll contact Dr. Vegapunk!" York ordered over the earpiece before the line went dead once again. Lilith let out a frustrated growl as she readied her Ion Rigle again before she began sprinting down the hallway. "So that's their game huh? Trying to steal one of the Devil Fruits? Unfortunately that vault is a dead end, meaning I just have to arrive before you leave!" Lilith growled to herself as she continued to run down the hallway. She was already angry someone broke into their lab, which under all circumstances should be impossible. However the fact Astro's life was in danger only made her blood boil even more, motivating her to run faster.

Devil Fruit Vault
Astro found himself in front of the large vault door that all the Devil Fruits on Egghead Island was stored. "So you are after the Devil Fruits?" Astro asked, shooting Kuroka a curious look over his shoulder. A feline smirk once again creeped across Kuroka's face as she gently rested her hand on Astro's shoulder. "Not all of them, just one, one that a lot of powerful people would pay unbelievable amounts of money to obtain. Now be a good boy and open the door." Kuroka puttered in Astro's ear as the teenager scientist let out a defeated sigh before reaching into the pocket of his lab coat and pulling out a keycard. Astro swiped it through the lock, causing a panel to slide open, revealing a keypad. Astro quickly punched in the five digit code as the screen on the lock little up green.

         A metallic hiss was heard as the vault door slid open revealing a room filled with electronically locked boxes. "Very good, however we're not done yet, you need to open the containment unit holding the fruit for me." Kuroka purred as she sauntered past Astro, who followed after her. The duo walked through the vault, passing by multiple containment units  before Kuroka finally stopped in front of one in particular. The Containment Unit was labeled with the word "Operation" a picture of a scalpel underneath it. "This is it, be a doll and open it would you?" Kuroka said as she stepped aside so Astro could open the containment unit. Astro stepped up to the containment unit before he inserted his keycard into the unit, the screen lit up green. A metallic hiss was heard as the lid of the containment unit popped open, letting out a bit of steam.

         Astro looked at the Devil Fruit inside, it had the trademark swirl pattern all Devil Fruits had, it was a blood red color, the fruit itself was in the shape of a heart.

Astro gently picked the Devil Fruit up, looking it over for a moment. "The Ope Ope no Mi, grandpa said this fruit was incredibly powerful. If it got into the wrong hands, there's no telling what might happen." Astro thought to himself as he continued to look the Ope Ope no Mi over. "Well done, now be a dear and hand it over so we can go out separate ways." Kuroka ordered as she waited for Astro to turn around and hand her the Devil Fruit. Astro once again looked down at the Ope Ope no Mi, while he had no idea what the full scope of the Fruit's abilities were, he did know it could be disastrous if they left Egghead Island. Astro also knew there was nothing he could do to fight Kuroka, she was skilled in the art of magic, something he knew little about. However a thought crossed Astro's mind, while he couldn't fight Kuroka, there was something he could do to stall for time.

"Sorry grandpa." Astro thought to himself before in one swift motion, he shoved the Ope Ope no Mi into his mouth before biting down on it. Astro's tastebuds were assaulted by the foulest tasting thing he had ever eaten, it nearly caused him to gag, but he muscled through, swallowing the chewed up Devil Fruit. Kuroka's eyes widened in shock as she didn't think Astro would eat the Devil Fruit to prevent her from obtaining it. Astro meanwhile let out a series of strangled coughs as he turned around to face Kuroka. "Why anyone would want to subject themselves to eating one of those is beyond me. I'm confident in saying rancid meat tastes better." Astro quipped as he shot Kuroka a smirk. The Nekomata's eyes narrowed as she glared at Astro in frustration.

"Do you realize how foolish that was? This could've ended peacefully if you simply handed the fruit over." Kuroka hissed as she raised her hand, readying herself to cast a spell. Astro's body tensed up, feet shooting through him, however despite this he stood firm. "Yes it was rather foolish, however handing over the Ope Ope no Mi so you could give it to an individual of unknown morals would be even more foolish. Consider it a desperation tactic." Astro said as he met Kuroka's glare, not backing down despite fearing for his own life in this moment. Kuroka let out a frustrated sigh as blue energy began gathering in the palm of her outstretched hand. "A shame, I wanted to avoid hurting anyone, however to get the Devil Fruit back, I must kill you. I am sorry it has come to this, but you forced my hand." Kuroka said as the energy began forming a sphere in her palm.

"I apologize that I'm about to ruin your entire plan." Astro retorted as a smirk spread across his face. Kuroka's eyes widened in surprise as a small marble sized sphere dropped out of Astro's sleeve, when it hit the ground it blanketed the area around them in a smokescreen. Kuroka fired off the sphere of energy randomly as she heard the sound of rapid footsteps retreating. When the smokescreen cleared Kuroka found that Astro was nowhere to be seen. "A clever trick darling, but if you think you can runaway from me you are sorely mistaken!" Kuroka shouted as she quickly began searching for where Astro could've possibly run off to. A frustrated look adorned Kuroka's face as she frantically searched for the teenage scientist that had somehow outsmarted her.

"How could everything fall apart so quickly? To think someone as timid as him would eat a Devil Fruit to prevent it from falling into my possession!" Kuroka thought to herself, despite not wanting to admit it she was impressed by the boldness of Astro's actions. However Kuroka's thoughts were then plagued by her failing to obtain the Devil Fruit could mean for her. "That Fruit was a chance to start over, to potentially work things out with Koneko, I cannot let it slip through my grasp!" Kuroka thought to herself as a look of pure determination spread across her face. Kuroka continued to search through the vault in hopes of locating Astro. Little did she know, the plan was falling apart elsewhere as well.

So Astro was taken hostage by Kuroka and forced to open the vault door protecting the Devil Fruits. However rather than hand it over, he opted to consume it to prevent it from being sold off to an unsavory individual. Meanwhile Lilith and York are doing their best to get the situation under control. As always leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! What will Astro do with Kuroka hunting him down to retrieve the Ope Ope no Mi? Will Lilith be able to catchup and supply Astro with much needed backup? What will happen when York finally gets in contact with Doctor Vegapunk? Find out in the next Chapter of Highschool DxD: The Grandson of Vegapunk!