The Start Of A New Journey Awaits...

"What is this?"

"What is what?"

"Look here, Kitev. A strange crack... What is this supposed to be? It's like unstable or something" A mysterious being said, examining the crack in front of them that was giving odd energies that shivered him a little, feeling strange vibes coming out of it as he has not yet felt this type of mysterious energy in his entire lifetime

Kitev: "... You fool Lynel! This is no ordinary crack! Something or someone managed to make a tear of the Outerworld!" Kitev exclaimed as Lynel's eyes widened

Lynel: "Wait what?! That's impossible! There is no possible way this would occur here in this place! The Outerworld infinitely transcends beyond the concepts of all existence, reality, and the laws of the whole creation of the whole existence! It is above everything else! This should not be possible! We should report this to your brother as soon as possible!"

Kitev: "No! I told you, he is fixated with that door. He will not be any help"

Lynel: "Well could we at least just tell them so that they know about this?"

Kitev: "I told you, he is not leaving his guarding spot at that door, along with the other three with him. We should investigate this, ourselves"

Lynel: "Wait, you don't mean to go through the crack, do you?"

Kitev: "I have every means to go through here, not like they would do something about this anyway"

Lynel: "But no one has left this dimension since it was created. It's impossible to break free out of here. And there's no telling where this would lead us to"

Kitev: "Do you keep forgetting, Lynel? Just like you said, this place infinitely transcends beyond the concepts of time, space, existence, life, death, and reality. In fact, anything for that matter. It even transcends beyond the very concepts of the creation of your very own fabric imaginations, to a real, separate, infinite, plane of realities, existences, dimensions, timelines and multiversal events. The Outerworld is the highest plane of dimension out there in all existences and realities, even if some was made that was meant to be entirely above everything else. The Outerworld was created and meant to be above everything else, both real and imagination. It can even transcend beyond concepts themselves. We are strong enough to take care of ourselves. I doubt there are any beings through here that could match us, except for our main enemies here in this higher plane of dimension. But that's beside the point. Come on, good thing we brought our weapons today"

Lynel: "This was not the day I signed up for" Lynel mumbled as he watched Kitev fly over slowly to the crack. And as he was slowly and slowly getting closer to it, he reached his hand out to the crack

*Boom!*

He was knocked back immediately by a mysterious force from the strange crack. Fortunately, Lynel caught Kitev in time before he got pushed back any further

Kitev: "That... Was not what I was expecting"

Lynel: "Wait, it seems... It's slowly getting bigger" Lynel took a closer look at the crack as he saw it slowly get bigger and bigger

Kitev: "This isn't normal. This should have crossed me into another plane of reality and existence"

Lynel: "The crack is small you horn head. Of course, it didn't take you in, but it is getting larger. And... This energy I sense around this, feels... Heavy. Nothing that I have ever sensed before. The crack could not have been made by a weapon or being. Instead, it was made by this energy I sense all over it. But that's just a guess"

Kitev: "I don't think that is how it works, but we will wait for it to get big enough. And besides, a new place would be a refresher than seeing this bright, red, infinite space all around us"

Lynel: "I like it here, but yes. A new place to see would be interesting, at least"

Kitev: "So are you in then?"

Lynel: "... Alright fine, but don't blame me when we get in some sort of trouble"

Kitev: "Like that's ever going to happen... Maybe this is the place where a certain "Morningstar" resides. I would like to meet him if possible. He has an interesting story".

===

With Fubuki

Fubuki: "Okay, that should be everyone" Fubuki

mumbled to herself, just finishing gathering the last few people here in the Monster Association before it gets destroyed. Now she's moving on to the next plan of hers, getting everyone back to the surface before they get caught in Tatsumaki and Psykos's fight that will lead to the Monster Association's version, of Ragnarok itself. Godbless Odin

Bang: "Is that, the others?!" Bang exclaimed, surprised to see his fellow heroes as well as the other hostages and such. The same goes for Bomb too, surprised to see the people all gathered one by one by me

Fubuki: "Yes, this place isn't safe anymore. I've gathered everyone in here, now it's time to go back to the top, or else we'll get crushed here" Fubuki said, gathering everyone inside of a much larger barrier for more safety purposes. Bang and Bomb watched with their eyes wide open seeing such magnificent magic being displayed in front of them by an Esper Goddess or something. Though Fubuki may have left some people behind, intentionally that is for very good reasons... 'Genos, King, and Tareo are near the top already. With King's plot armour and luck, they'll be fine. Need to get these ones to the surface, that's where the real fighting starts against the rest of the Cadres. Tatsumaki will attack Psykos any time now, I don't have much time. And Sai-kun will take care of himself and Flashy Flash, though I am quite anxious about him meeting God and Blast. Something inside of me feels bad that it may lead to the worst. I hope not' Fubuki thought, wasting no time guiding the fellow heroes and hostages towards the surface where they will be much safer than here inside of the Monster Association where it will be decimated into nothing by the hands of Tatsumaki

A few moments later, we were all up back to the surface. Though a little bit further from the Monster Association, like, a lot further away since Tatsumaki's attack will spread like wildfire. Everyone was relieved that they were saved by me, though some of them were confused as to why they were brought back to the surface and away from the Monster Association

And not a second later, the ground shooked rapidly, cracks slowly started to form on the ground as it started to spread, but with the forcefields around us, I didn't worry one bit. Though everyone was surprised seeing the large cracks starting to appear around them, as well as seeing the nearby places shake as they slowly broke apart

*Boom!*

Out of nowhere, a tall ass structure came out from the ground just a few meters away from where we were as it was the Monster Association's base. The place was slowly climbing up from the ground, forcing the ground to move up to make a steep way towards the thing until it stopped dead. And when it stopped, it caused the entire City Z area to be decimated, even neighbouring cities were caught by the damage a little bit. Buildings, structures, roads, etc, were all destroyed into pieces as we watched it all happen. Large spiral cracks were formed to where the Monster Association's place was coming out from. And just at the very top of the place were the newly fused Psykos and Orochi facing Tatsumaki head-on 'Genos, King, and Tareo are still safe. They are now at the same ground level as us. We'll regroup as soon as possible and prepare for the Cadres to appear... I may have to fight them if not all of them for that matter. I have not yet fought a dragon-level monster, so let's see how I can handle myself against a few of them... And Psykos is mine to handle'

===

King: "What is this sticky stuff. We're being surrounded by it!"

Tareo: "Eek!" King and Tareo exclaimed seeing some slimy things surround them right after they had just gone through some elevator that led them outside of the Monster Association's place where they were met by the remnants of some destroyed buildings, as well as Genos who happenly showed up to them just a moment ago 'Where's sensei and Fubuki-san? King doesn't know where they are. They have got to be out here if they escaped the Monster Association before it suddenly collapsed' Genos thought, launching a blast from his hands towards the slimy monster things as they were all killed, but then his eyes perked up, sensing something high up in the air as he brought his head up to see it for himself.

Tatsumaki: "Tch" Tatsumaki mumbled, flying out of the place where she and Psykos were, to dodge a sudden beam attack that Psykos created, destroying the rest of the place to where she was as Psykos was exposed with her new form at the very tip of the Monster Association. Tatsumaki faced her again, flying a few meters in front of her new, large form with Orochi supporting her

Psykos: "Hehe... Finally, it's time to end this!" Psykos said with a smirk, her hair still waving around her with also a newly formed Orochi at the command that was connected through her knees under her. Three wings that were from Orochi, slowly flapped over and over while his four arms were busy with two long-ass weapons, two of each were assigned for one weapon, same as the other two arms as well. Orochi's new, dragon-like body was coming out of the hole that he was staying in, filled with slimy stuff, but those were filled with power and energy that he and Psykos obtained when they fused not to long ago. And its face was just a platform for Psykos to stay up on. Getting a view of everything

===

*Ring* *Ring*

Lily: "Lily speaking"

"Lily-san! Something has happened in City Z! We need everyone to see what is going on!"

Lily: "Hai! I felt it too. I'll go there right now"

"Okay, some other heroes will go there too. Be careful out there Lily-san. And give us immediate reports. It seems the S-class has not yet reported back to us. But they did manage to get Narinki-kun back, but there are other problems to deal with now"

Lily: "I understand, I'll be making my way there now. Goodbye" Lily hung up the phone and quickly gathered her stuff

Lily: "Alright, radio, check. And... Fubuki-sama said to use her weapon when I need it" Lily grabbed Fubuki's sword from her room. Gripping it tightly with both of her tiny hands barely lifting it in the air

Lily: "This is heavier than I thought! But I can manage. This will be my weapon from now on" Lily said, putting away the sword for now

Lily: "Alright, I think I'm set. I hope Fubuki-sama and Saitama-san are alright, as well as the heroes too. And Genos-kun too... ".

===

Flashy Flash: "Oy! Can you get me out of here!" I heard Flashy Flash yell for help

Saitama: "Hold on, it's pitch black here. I thought we'd avoid it" I opened my hand as an immediate blue flame erupted itself into my hand. The area around us became lit again as I saw Flashy Flash's face peeking out from the rocks that were trapping him in place in front of me

Flashy Flash: "What is happening out there?"

Saitama: "Tatsumaki is not holding back anymore. That's all you need to know" I walked in front of Flashy Flash and brought my free hand back and launch a punch just strong enough to destroy the rocks that were around him

*Boom*

The wall that I was facing had a huge crater as Flashy Flash became free, wiping off the pebbles and dust from his clothing, and as well as his long, blonde hair

Flashy Flash: "Wait, where's my blade... Shit, it must be stuck somewhere"

Saitama: "Wait what?"

Flashy Flash: "It must have come off when I was trapped"

Saitama: "Well let's look around here then. I also have to find something here" I said as both of us examined the area that we were in. Looking all over the place for anything that we might use, or maybe a square thing that may just be the one that I am looking for the whole time and not anything else...

Flashy Flash: "Is that blue fire you're holding?"

Saitama: "Yes, I can control fire"

Flashy Flash: "Huh... You're not so bad after all"

Saitama: "It took you that long to be convinced?"

Flashy Flash: "Of course, I am very cautious about who I meet. Same as you too I suppose"

Saitama: "Fair enough. Now let's keep looking. There should be something here".

===

Psykos: "Splitting the are and lifting the entire base... We're you trying to show off your power since my skills have surpassed yours, perhaps?" Psykos said, quite impressed at the display of Tatsumaki's powers and capabilities of her psychic magic

Psykos: "Huhu... Amazing, amazing. Go on, what's next?"

Tatsumaki: "... Did she get larger?" Mumbled Tatsumaki, observing Psykos and her newfound transformation 'Those slimy tendrils on the bottom... Is she absorbing power from them? If so then I could take care of it'

Tatsumaki: "It's a good thing you came out of there" Tatsumaki said, bringing her hands forward and using her powers to drill away the walls that hide the slimy tendrils, hoping to destroy it in the process as well 'If I drill through that area, I can make you weak very easily' Tatsumaki thought

Psykos: "Pff, I knew this would happen. You don't get it, do you? In terms of power... I AM ALREADY ABOVE YOU!!" Psykos brought his two hands forward to form a triangle as she launched a huge blast

*Boom!*

The blast spread like a madman, cutting a piece of the Earth's crust like it was nothing to her. Multiple shockwaves, uncontrollable tides of waves, and huge rumbles in the ground have resulted in that attack by Psykos. Everyone that was near them, was shocked to see such a display of powers. Tatsumaki was lucky that she was caught in the blast briefly, dodging it at the last second, though her clothes are slowly starting to be ripped off

Psykos: "Haha... HAHAHA!! AMAZING! THIS IS TRULY AMAZING!!" Psykos said, being satisfied by her huge new power-up 'What... was that? She can't have obtained a huge power-up by simply absorbing monsters. Where on earth is that power coming from?' Tatsumaki thought, curious and a little, just a little worried about Psykos

===

Fubuki: "We should be close enough now" Fubuki said, releasing the barrier that contained the heroes and the hostages. Fubuki told the hostages to get away from here as they did what they were told. The rest of the heroes stretched themselves up, being all in one barrier took a little toll on them 'So she still received "God's" power. No matter, but if she continues to release that kind of attack earlier. I might have to get up close and personal with her' Fubuki thought, watching the battle of Tatsumaki and Psykos from a pretty safe spot, as well as the others 'Genos should any moment rush in there. And Drive Knight should arrive soon. It is still quite unstable to go near them. But, here are the heroes with possibly some questions'.

===

Flashy Flash: "What are you finding in here anyways?"

Saitama: "Like a cube of sorts. Just keep looking, we need that cube" I said as he sighed, continuing moving rocks to find the cube that I am talking about, as well as his katana that he lost when he was trapped himself

Flashy Flash: "There's no way this "Cube" You're speaking off is still here. It's full of rocks in this area... Wait what is th-GAH!"

*Boom*

Flashy Flash suddenly got planted into the ground, but strangely, he was holding a strange cube in one of his hands 'Well call me Sherlock Holmes, there it is!' I thought, hiding my excitement as best as I can as I grabbed the cube from Flashy Flash's hand. Flashy Flash stood up, surprised that a cube took him down to the ground with ease

Flashy Flash: "So is that the cube you are looking for? Why is it so heavy?... And why can you lift it with ease and not me?"

Saitama: "Huh... Strange, I sense an energy coursing inside of here" I said, examining the cube as I sensed some power inside of this thing '... I don't feel a change in the environment. This should have brought us to God' I thought, looking around me to see if anything has changed around us

*Boom!*

Suddenly, we felt another massive shockwave that manage to linger its way here to where we were 'Must be Tatsumaki's doing. But still, no signs of change in the environment' I thought, but out of nowhere, a portal that resembled a black hole, appeared behind us 'So he's still here. But why didn't the cube take me to God?' I thought, turning around to face the portal with the cube in my hands as Blast slowly appeared from the portal, landing on the ground with his battle armour or something, along with sunglasses to top it off

Blast: "You haven't met him yet" Blast said, moving

his sunglasses down to see us, but he was surprised to see me holding the cube that he knows all too well 'Who is this?' Flashy Flash thought with his guard activated

Blast: "Ah, I see that you're holding it, but... It figures" Blast said, making me confused 'What does he mean?'

Saitama: "What do you mean?"

Blast: "The cube that you are holding was a way to open a rift in the fabric of space. If anyone touches it, it will take you to him. But it seems it didn't work, same as the others. Though yours still holds a ton of power"

Saitama: "So you're saying that the cubes don't work anymore?"

Blast: "Yeah, just recently actually. If those cubes don't work, then that means he's gone. But if one of them still holds a large amount of his energy, then it is still possible for him to somewhat return"

Saitama: "Huh... " I mumbled, just surprised to hear this from Blast 'So the cubes that he has found are not working anymore, but this one still contains energy... What's happening?'

Blast: "Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. I'm Blast, the number one ranked S-class hero. Can you give me the cube? I would dispose the remainder of his power to ensure that he is, and will forever be gone" Blast said, bringing his arm forward as Flashy Flash was surprised to know who it was that they were speaking to

Saitama: "... I think I can handle this cube from getting unstable. You see me lift this with ease, right?"

Blast: "Yeah, I'm surprised to see that someone managed to lift it like me. But I must get rid of it, it is very urgent. Can you give it to me?" Blast said again as I had a suspicious look on him '... His energy... It's the same as the cube... Wait, could it be?' I thought, suspecting that something is not right with him 'Wait, is he the real Blast?... Let's find out' Flashy Flash thought, using his maximum speed and using Flashy Kicks towards Blast. Blast saw this as he just appeared behind Flashy Flash like nothing, completely outspeeding him, but to my surprise, I saw him readying a punch at him 'I knew it!' I thought, quickly appearing next to Blast and kicking him back

*Boom!*

A crater around him was formed as Flashy Flash turned around and was surprised to see that

Saitama: "He is not Blast" I said, making Flashy Flash confused

Flashy Flash: "What? What do you mean"

Saitama: "He was just about to punch you from behind. Stay alert, we may have to kill him"

Flashy Flash: "... He completely blitzed me with ease, just like you did"

Saitama: "Don't get all sentimental about your speed now. Let's deal with some business first" I said as Flashy Flash just readied his hands, being cautious as he doesn't have his weapon with him while I stood there, looking forward to where I kicked Blast 'He's after this cube. I think God may have taken over Blast. But what happened that it came to that? This event didn't occur in the manga. But either way, I won't let him get this cube' I thought, looking directly at the cube that was in my hands

Saitama: "Kamui" And just like that, the cube disappeared into my pocket dimension where Deku and Geryuganshoop don't have the strength to probably lift it, so it's safe there to put for now. I focused back on Blast, readying myself as this may require some seriousness... Though probably not 'Now, to deal with him'.

"ARGHH! GIVE ME THE CUBE!!" A dark, creepy voice, came from where Blast was kicked to as a menacing aura was formed around him, breaking the surroundings near his area. Flashy Flash gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay in place as the force of the aura was insane. I, however, remained unfazed by it, though my cloak was going crazy

Blast: "I WON'T LET MYSELF BE DEFEATED!!" Blast suddenly arrived in front of me with a punch ready

*Boom!*

I grabbed his punch, pulling him in and launching a knee to his stomach, making Blast, that was possessed by God or something, groan loudly as I launched him up through the ground and up to the former place where the Monster Association was once were. All happened fast that not even Flashy Flash noticed what was going on 'Let's take this somewhere more remote compared to here... And my mind... Not now' I thought, bringing my hand to Flashy Flash's shoulder as we disappeared out of existence.

===

[With Fubuki After A While.]

Fubuki: "Well damn, the heroes beat me to Psykos" Fubuki mumbled, seeing the heroes take down the fused Psykos and Orochi while she was side viewing the battle 'I guess it's my fault for not joining in on them, but the Cadres are a bit more annoying to take on I thought' After Tatsumaki took the battle in the air and destroying the Monster Association, Fubuki released all of the heroes as they decided to join the battle with Tatsumaki. Though Amai Mask had this angry glare towards her, which Fubuki noticed as she raised an eyebrow, but she just figured he was still mad about what Sai-kun did to him. Genos also appeared to help Tatsumaki along with Drive Knight too. and Bang and Bomb joined in on the battle as well. King and Tareo managed to leave the area, though he'll be back with Metal Bat by his side. And while all of that happened, Fubuki was on the sidelines, waiting for some particular monsters to appear, and they did. Homeless Emperor, while Tatsumaki was busy twisting the remaining Monster Association's place into a spear or drill or something into the ground where the place formerly resides, launched an energy ball to the heroes as Zombieman was hit by it 'The Cadres are here. I think it's time to show myself'

Fubuki: "Alright then" Fubuki mumbled, forcing herself to go next to the heroes that were just finished "finishing" Psykos 'I doubt she's dead. She'll reappear soon. Though Orochi is now gone for good, I hope. Now it's time for the Cadres' Fubuki thought as she brought her head up, looking at Tatsumaki in the air who was dripping in blood along her whole body after finishing the last bits of the Monster Association's base, though she was weirdly frozen in place, sensing something, or someone for that matter 'So Blast is here... But... Something's off. It's definitely him but... Somethings wrong. I wonder what is he doing down there?'

Homeless Emperor: "Hmph... It seems Gyoro-Gyoro and Orochi got done in" Homeless Emperor mumbled, multiple energy balls surrounded him, a cape for dramatic effect, and a tiny crown on his head to top it off

Homeless Emperor: "Pft, as I thought, they were vessels incapable of expanding their minds. The Heaven's ally only with the chosen. Those such as I..." A cocky smirk made its way to Homeless Emperor's face as Amai Mask rushed in for a punch

Amai Mask: "Don't get ahead of yourself! Evildoer!" Amai Mask said, but as he was about to hit Homeless Emperor. Black Sperm, in a large form containing multiples of Black Sperm, came out from the ground and grabbed Amai Mask just in time before he could punch Homeless Emperor

Amai Mask: "GAH!"

Black Sperm: "Oops. Hehe, I guess it's true that bullies tend to spit out things they'd rather not be told" Black Sperm said, bringing Amai Mask closer to him while he was trapped in Black Sperm's huge ass hands. And to make it worse, there were still a bunch of little Black Sperms that have not yet been fused, so Amai Mask's chances of escaping are a bit slim since they are surrounding the area that they were in

Black Sperm: "Isn't that right, playboy hero who got ahead of himself?"

"BOO!" And out of nowhere, Ugly Fuhrer popped in front of Amai Mask from the ground, making him widen his eyes seeing his ugly ass face

Amai Mask: "AAAAAAAHHHH!" He screamed as seeing such an ugly creature in his life, took a toll on him mentally. Ugly Fuhrer just looked at him with a bit of anger

Ugly Fuhrer: "Completely helpless after a little jumpscare, what a worthless piece of trash..."

Amai Mask: "AAHH! DON'T GET ANY CLOSER!"

Ugly Fuhrer: "Quit squealing" Ugly Fuhrer mumbled as he launched a punch towards Amai Mask, hitting his head as he completely turned it into paste. With the help of Black Sperm holding him of course

Ugly Fuhrer: "GYAHAHA WHAT AN UGLY FACE"

Homeless Emperor: "That looks painful. So that's what being obsessed with external beauty does to you" Homeless Emperor said, looking at the poor Amai Mask, whose face has just been turned into paste, with a smirk

Ugly Fuhrer: "You're like a scarecrow with these stupid long legs. How bout I make em longer for ya?" Ugly Fuhrer grabbed Amai Mask by his legs, pulling him up more and pulling both of his legs away from each other. And just a second later, Amai Mask was separated into two parts as Ugly Fuhrer threw him away with a smirk

Ugly Fuhrer: "I can't get enough of this. Beating this pompous pretty boy piece of shit to a pulp. From here on out it's a free for all. The most amount of S-class kills gets the lead, how bout that?"

Black Sperm: "Oh I like how that sounds"

Black Sperm: "You think you can challenge us with something like that?"

"*Huff* *huff*"

Child Emperor: "This is Child Emperor. Multiple Cadres have emerged from underground" Child Emperor said through his transmitter while pulling the bloodied and completely beaten Zombieman out of the area. He was nervous and scared when he first saw Zombieman

"Hmm... " The Cadres turned their heads towards Child Emperor with a stare

Child Emperor: "I REPEAT!"

Zombieman: "Child Emperor... Run"

*Splat!*

And just like that, Zombieman was crushed into the ground by Ugly Fuhrer. Child Emperor jumped in surprise as he called out his name

Child Emperor: "ZOMBIEMAN!"

Ugly Fuhrer: "Hehehe... So you're Child Emperor?" Ugly Fuhrer said to him as Child Emperor slowly brought his head up to meet eyes with him. The nerves are kicking in his little child's body. Ugly Fuhrer brought his head right in front of Child Emperor with a smirk

Ugly Fuhrer: "How nice~ Must be neat, being a spoiled little brat with smarts and a future... But the more miserable I feel, the stronger I get! From here I'll take on the name Monster King. I'll show ya something way more interesting than Gyoro-Gyoro's Esper powers. Something from this horribly twisted personality of mine, born from an inferiority complex... I call it... Extreme Violence!" Ugly Fuhrer said, bringing his head back and launching a punch toward Child Emperor

Homeless Emperor: "Get outta the way" Homeless Emperor said, interfering Ugly Fuhrer's attack as he was holding a massive ball of energy. Like something of a Spirit Bomb, and launching it towards Child Emperor while Ugly Fuhrer jumps away 'This is it' Child Emperor thought, and as the big ass blast was closing in on him, It suddenly stopped in front of him, making him surprised as he was suddenly inside a barrier

Child Emperor: "What's this?" Child Emperor mumbled as he was brought away from the blast. And to his surprise, it was Fubuki who saved him

Child Emperor: "Fubuki-san!" Child Emperor said in relief after maybe seeing his life flash before him. Fubuki just brought Child Emperor behind him, using her hands, she compressed the huge blast into the size of a rice grain. And a few seconds later, the blast was now nowhere to be seen. Ugly Fuhrer, Black Sperm, and Homeless Emperor were shocked to see his attack be completely erased out of existence

Fubuki: "There. Let's get back to the others" Fubuki said, quickly getting out of the area with Child Emperor

Child Emperor: "But what about Zombieman-san?!"

Fubuki: "Don't worry, I can still sense him. He's currently hiding and recovering"

Child Emperor: "R-really?"

Fubuki: "Yes, now let's get back with the others. The other Cadres will appear any second now" Fubuki said as Child Emperor nodded, calming down a little after Fubuki calmed him down, and also hearing that Zombieman was fine after he was brutalized by Ugly Fuhrer 'Evil Natural Water and Gums should appear soon. And I know Ugly Fuhrer, Black Sperm, and Homeless Emperor are going to take things cautiously after seeing his blast get erased, or not, who knows. I can't really predict how are they going to attack since I changed the way how the fight should have gone through in the manga. But no matter... And I sense Blast and the two underground. Though Blast's energy is filled with evil or something that I never thought he would had... What happened?'.

[Sorry for the long wait.]