The Dreadful Assassin from N.Y. (New York)
In the Spring of the 15th year of the Taisho Era, Oogami was packing his things for his departure to Paris. While doing so, he came across a shell-shaped case with a bullet shell in it...
At the 12th year, Team Hanagumi were celebrating the Summer Festival. In the midst of the joyous celebration, Sakura performed a traditional custom, that was to slice two huge bamboo shoots into tiny little cups for everyone. After a brilliant performance, Maria shyly proposed to do her own Russia traditional custom (the Vershu Zudarovei, which means 'celebrate' in Japanese). Though everyone was completely shocked, Ayame encouraged her to perform.
Maria explained to everybody that the custom was about. She was supposed to shoot one bullet high up in the sky. While the bullet falls to the ground, Maria will shoot another bullet to hit the first bullet. The impact was supposed to allow both bullets to hit 2 separate targets - the bull eye targets on 2 separate trees. After explaining, Maria demonstrated. To her horror, she wasn't able to hit the first bullet and the entire performance was ruined.
An eerie silent atmosphere was upon everyone, then, Maria unexpectedly laughed, making everybody to believe that Maria was actually teasing them. Soon, everybody was back in their mirth and laughter. However, Sakura saw Maria clutching her fist in anger.
Later at night, while Sakura was on her night duties patrol, she found Maria standing in front of a wall, pressing her hand against the crater (that was created by the second bullet). Maria was extremely upset at her sudden decreased of skill and believed that she was becoming weaker. Then, Maria suddenly sensed someone behind her and turned around, frightening Sakura.
Sakura tried to comfort Maria by telling her that it was alright to make mistakes. Maria coldly replied that mistakes were not allowed in battles. Then, she asked Sakura's opinion on Destiny. Sakura replied the she believed that each person makes their Destiny by their own will.
At the harbour, a Russian named Valentino landed upon the Japan shores with one mission - to kill Maria. Holding up a photo of Maria, he pressed a burning cigar onto it.
Meanwhile, the Hanagumi theater was holding a play named 'Love is a Diamond', that was performed by Sumire and Kanna. In another room, Oogami was arranging the presents. Among the presents, was a dollhouse for Maria with a letter. While Sakura, Koran, Iris and Oogami were admiring, Maria read the letter in a rather disturbing manner. Then, they heard a ticking sound. Within seconds, there was an explosion. Instantly, Yoneda & Ayame rushed into the room. Luckily for everybody, nobody was hurt.
Maria immediately told everybody to find a bomb that had been planted somewhere in the theater and without reason, left. Ayame took the letter and read. Apparently, Valentino had threatened Maria to meet him at the reclaimed land area or else the Hanagumi theater would be blown to bits. Without delay, everybody split up to find the bomb (with the help of Koran's devices). In minutes, the bomb was found located into a flower statue. To make things worse, the bomb is attached (through wires) to the doors of the performing room, meaning the moment doors were opened, the bomb would explode.
At the reclaimed land area, Maria sees Valentino. She recalled a brief moment of her past (Apparently, Valentino was the traitor who caused the death of her beloved captain in Russia. After discovering the truth, she and Valentino had a showdown in New York) and regretted not killing Valentino when she had the chance. Valentino agreed with her as he revealed his war machine (and his robotic hand). He coldly told her that if she wish to deactivate the bomb, she has to destroy the machine.
Back at the theater, Ayame informed Sumire about the bomb and tells her to keep the audience entertained while Koran tries to deactivate it. Sumire was flustered because the play was about to end any moment. Still, she promised to try her best.
Meanwhile, Maria was trying a hard time fighting the war machine (Maria's handgun versus machine's rattling guns & missiles, you've got to be kidding!). Luckily for her, help comes along - Sakura. Together, Maria & Sakura started to attack the vital parts of the war machine.
The play had ended and some of the audience was about to leave. Sumire immediately started to recite some love poem. Unfortunately for her, Kanna was totally clueless about the bomb and interrupted Sumire in a comedic manner. Sumire's retorts soon made the audience burst into laughter. At the backstage, Ayame is relieved that their act was given Koran more time to deactivate the bomb.
As for Maria & Sakura, they almost succeeded in destroying the war machine but Valentino remained a stubborn obstacle. Within seconds, he shot Sakura's sword away from Sakura's grasp. Valentino sadistically told them that he had already activated the bomb and he felt good enough to celebrate it. Sakura indirectly told Maria to use the 'Vershu Zudarovei'. Using herself as a decoy, she runs forward.
Valentino shot a bullet. So did Maria. Amazingly, Maria's bullet hit Valentino's, causing it to rebound and hit Valentino while hers went straight into the war machine's most vital area, causing it to explode. Back at the theater, everybody sighed with relief when Koran exclaimed that the bomb had deactivated itself.
Maria reloaded her gun with one bullet, aimed it at Valentino and pulled the trigger. Silently, she hands Sakura the bullet. To Sakura's surprise, the bullet was actually a bullet shell. Maria replied that she decides her own destiny.
The next day, Sakura told Oogami about the incident and wanted to give him the bullet shell (that was kept in a shell-shaped locket). Then, Sumire appeared and complained loudly about the review on last night's performance. Amusingly, the critics felt that the Sumire & Kanna's comedy performance was the best & the duo should perform a comedic play the next time. Later, Maria showed up. She smiled at Sakura, who smiled back at her.
Seeing Maria's smile, Oogami believed that the bullet shell was the symbol representing the beginning of Maria's new life.
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