Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

"... I would have loved to be that person, but I honestly have no idea what I'd do with this thing either."

"Perhaps it might just end up a public utility. Someone might find it and just... use it for a mundane task, like building a structure or flattening a hill."

"Well, they say that in Rome, do as the Romans do, right? So when you're a brilliant engineer, but you live in a land infested with monsters and demons and whatnot... you become the monster, right? Or rather, you build one. That was back in Gensokyo, but honestly, it fits just as well here. A conflux dimension of some sort. An arena, some people call it. They say people come back when they die in here, but honestly I'd rather not find out if I can help it at all."

—

This ominous buildup is not helping to alleviate Yahaba's fears at all. But Susamaru takes him by the hand and gives him that signature grin of hers. The one that says "we're awesome and everything is going to be alright."

Sure, Susamaru is an idiot who doesn't at all understand the situation they're in, but seeing her smile like that gives him confidence enough for both of them. Together, they sink into the furthest depths of Space Fortress Gravitas.

"... Cool. That made zero sense to me so I'm just gonna assume magic is real and roll with it."

"Probably for the best." Terlette opens the cockpit and commands the mech to get down on all fours so they can safely jump out.

The elevator platform descends and stops at a single platform, suspended in the middle of what looks like a sphere of subspace.

They are in the heart of the Space Fortress - literally its planetary core. The path before them is blocked by a wall of shimmering energy that blocks their view of what lies beyond it.

   "The information to which you are about to be privy is not to leave this sector."   

The 'Shy Guy' voice awaits a statement of confirmation.

Azula hops out.

"Should we check in with lightning-man? Or will you be on your way?"

"Yeah, that's about right. Unfortunately," Rika says with some bitterness.

—

"Yeah well, in case you're not aware yet, we demons are pretty damn good at keeping secrets." She says this as if it were self-evident. Just as she does, for a moment, a flashback of black arms ripping out of her chest passes through her mind.

It wasn't her fault, ok? Sure, Yaha was the smart guy, but she was still smart enough to know to keep the Master's name off her lips, ok? It was that smell. That damnable witch's smell, Susamaru's claws to her stupid neck! If only Master would understand. If only she could make things right. If only they'd managed to bring him that damn sunlight guy...

Space Fortress Core: ???

As soon as they confirm it, the barrier wall before the demons collapses. Standing on the other side of the projection pillars, having pressed the button to deactivate them: None other than Metallix, accompanied by new and extravagant T-Dolls: T-Doll Shadows, Lagomorphs, and Meitos, specifically modeled after some of X's allies...

All of which are moving around and maintaining the status of a giant mechanical brain with an eye.◊

Edited by DefRevenge24601 on Feb 7th 2020 at 11:06:40 AM

"Don't be too broken up about it. If someone can throw together a building with their superpowers in two hours, then all you have to do is work until you can do it in one."

Terlette hops out after her.

She gazes to the sky and says, "I think he knows. I have a friend or two to go reassure. Bye now."

She teleports away.

The eye gazes upon Susamaru and Yahaba.

Jergingha's True Form - The Wonderful 101

When it speaks, it is clear that the voice is coming from the brain.    "... If it isn't the grand leader's little pet projects. I am Jergingha, former architect of the GEATHJERK Federation, and the core artificial intelligence of this entire space fortress. Narktus is the leader because loyalty to him is my top priority. You are alive because the life support systems are my second priority. This station is secure because defenses are my third priority. Do you now understand the true scope of the role I play?"   

   "And yet, only Narktus and the other AIs knew I was anything more than the security network."   

Edited by KiriK on Feb 7th 2020 at 10:26:00 AM

"Truly words to live life by! In the end, that's the whole purpose of this tank! To prove that no matter how many lasers a monster can shoot with magic, I can do better!"

She pauses.

"You're not bad, you know... for a cheater." Despite her acerbic words, there's some begrudging admiration in her voice. "Well, at least you don't use magic to cheat. But by next time we meet, I'll upgrade my tank to beat you even harder!"

—

In that moment, it all becomes clear to Yahaba. "The white one, GLaDOS, she's just a decoy, isn't she? Narktus made her look like the primary AI of the base and you as a minor redundant system, hid you all the way down in this inaccessible section, all to make sure that, even if he's betrayed from the inside, Gravitas cannot be sabotaged easily. A clever move. In his position, I would have done the same. Assuming I'd even thought of it." Master certainly would have, and he would have definitely have done it. It was, after all, nothing more and nothing less than the sound strategic choice.

Now, all that remained to see was whether their service was worth the risk of the secret being compromised. Susamaru, however, has one more question.

"Pet project..? What do you mean?"

Edited by Arachnos on Feb 7th 2020 at 11:43:07 AM

Stray folds his arms and leans against the side of his ship. "We'll see about that. I'm no engineer, so I'll just get better at flying instead. Can't destroy what you can't hit."

   "GLaDOS has her purpose. But I am the system which she runs off of. She was integrated first, but Narktus soon realized she was not to be trusted with primary control, and that was how I came to be this fortress."   

The eye focuses on Susamaru, its pupil shifting in shape and size to focus on her.    "Recall that Narktus was the one who vouched for your return, who kept Muzan from killing you, and who praised you for a satisfactory job in surviving. And yet, here you stand - before his most important lie to you. If you do not follow along, it matters little - he will set it straight for you soon enough."   

"Can't dodge when the very air is on fire!" she replies as she boards the halo again and starts floating back to the damaged machine.

—

Yahaba does not connect the dots. To him, a demon, keeping secrets was something natural, as was he used to the idea of the unequal rights between master and servant. Something this natural didn't seem reprehensible in the slightest.

Ironically, it's the usually dim Susamaru who speaks up. "Lie? Lord Narktus considers this a lie? Is he truly worried that we might blame him for something as small as this?"

Edited by Arachnos on Feb 7th 2020 at 12:03:14 PM

"We'll just have to test your claim." Stray jumps back into his fighter ship.

   "Muzan would not be so trusting. All he has done has been to further his own personal gain in the end, and the slightest perceived offense against that incurs his rage. Remember that not even he knows of my existence. And remember where my loyalties lie."   

   "The high council knows not of my existence. Even X, who supplied the drones you see maintaining me, produced them under the impression they were sent to oversee a mere power core. Yet you, two grunts of the level typically sent to do reconnaissance work at best, know. And yet there is still so much you do not know."   

Edited by KiriK on Feb 7th 2020 at 11:12:13 AM

So they have been made privy to this scene, and not their vastly superior creator. The very idea seems foreign to Yahaba. The idea that they should know something Muzan doesn't makes him feel slightly sick inside, like he's blaspheming against something incredibly sacred.

"So the Supreme One saw fit to inform us of this, but not our Lord... but why? And how can he be so assured of our loyalty? He knows we cannot defy the Master's will." Well technically there is nothing in Muzan's instructions that says they need to report every single thing they find out to him. Now if he asked them directly, it would be a different story. But the very idea of hiding something from him makes Yahaba feel dirty.

A sneaky smile creeps on Susamaru's face as she elbows her partner a bit. "You know, if we told the Master of this, he might-"

He knows where her train of thought is going long before she utters the words, and immediately intervenes to nip it in the bud. "No. Susamaru, if we did this, we wouldn't even live to become Kizuki. We would be thrown out into space, and even the Master may not be safe. I hate to say this, but we need to keep this between us... for both our safety and his." At least, this is how Yahaba chooses to rationalize it. It makes the whole thing feel less like treachery.

He raises his head and actually opens his eyes for a moment, solely so he can meet Jergingha's gaze and nod in silent understanding of what's expected of them.

Edited by Arachnos on Feb 7th 2020 at 12:28:34 PM

There's a tense silence.

Finally, Jergingha breaks it.    "Narktus did not err in his decision. Between your strong camaraderie, and understanding of what is acceptable, you may yet find a high place in Gravitas."   

He immediately goes back to his usual self.    "This meeting is now over. You are dismissed."   

Warp cylinders start to materialize around Susamaru and Yahaba, preparing to teleport them back to the surface.

"Hear that, Susamaru? We may still get somewhere after all."

"Eh," she says, making a pouty face. "Still not Twelve Kizuki."

"Well, you never know. If we make it to the upper echelons of Gravitas, Master may be satisfied with our performance. We'll kill two birds with one temari, if you will."

"I once killed two birds with one temari! You should've seen my amazing trickshot!"

"I saw it. I was the one who let you make that trickshot in the first place, you know..."

"...oh."

The two nod to Jergingha one last time in thanks before they're teleported out.

This Narktus... the decisions he makes intrigue me. Choosing to have us brought back even after our failure, for once. Or making us privy to information almost no one else in the fortress knows.

From a tactical standpoint, these would seem like missteps. Lord Muzan would never take such unnecessary risks. And yet..? Could he have a calculated choice in mind? Could it be...

A strange idle thought passes through Yahaba's mind, swiftly dismissed.

I suppose there's nothing for it but to wait and to see.

Bawoop.

Floating City

Robo-Sonic, Silver Sonic, Mecha Sonic, and Metal Sonic are searching the Floating City.

"Two Chaos Emeralds were detected here."

Edited by KiriK on Feb 8th 2020 at 2:12:08 PM

An ominous feeling resonate in the air, as a figure is present above the city.

Floating City

Segata Sanshiro is wandering when he sees the robots floating above the city.

Segata: "Interesing! Seems like they're looking for a fight!"

Edited by DefRevenge24601 on Feb 8th 2020 at 3:28:00 PM

Silver Sonic zeroes in on the presence.

"There."

The robotic hedgehogs fly towards its source, preparing to apprehend whoever it may be...

But then a blue blur comes running after them, past Segata!

Right as the blue blur appears, a purple one rain down towards the city, with such force that its landing may cause it to wobble ever so slightly, holy shit!

Floating City

Segata smirks, running after the blue blur.

He gets shaken a little by the landing of another presence, but keeps going - there are a few people he knows that can outspeed him, and he's got a feeling he knows who this one is...

"Power output exceeds expectations. Target may have determined how to utilize Chaos Emeralds. Threat level: Extreme."

Sonic comes whizzing up into the air, striking a pose as he falls past his robotic doppelgangers. "Yo!" He lands running and rushes off towards the site of the impact.

Immediately, the four robot Sonics turn to each other, emitting beeping and whirring noises.

"Course of action has been determined. Initiating High Aggression Protocol." They all fly towards the scene where everyone is converging.

—

Closer to the place of impact is one very frazzled and now very angry Goro Majima. Without bothering to check who it is, he barks, "Hey, ya punk! Watch it!"

Watch? Hmph! I will watch indeed, watch you DIE! he says, pointing the tip of his sword and launching a blast of lightning, oh shit!

It disperse the smoke, revealing none other than the beautiful man who seeks the emeralds, Schezo!

That came out better in my head, oh well.

He fire another blast.

Edited by Bolded1 on Feb 8th 2020 at 9:50:06 PM

Floating City

Segata arrives on the scene, kicking the thunderbolt into the distance!

Segata: "Well, if it isn't Sonic the Hedgehog! How's life been treating you?"

He lands next to Sonic, not yet taking notice of Majima.

Majima is startled for some reason when he hears the voice, nearly allowing the thunder blast to hit him until Segata intervenes.

"No time, we have to move!" Sonic comes screeching to a halt and spreads his arms to guard Majima from the follow-up.

That is, until Robo Sonic rams into him, knocking him aside - but getting hit by Schezo's second blast as a result.

Silver Sonic lashes a claw hand at Schezo, trying to grab him and pull him over to itself.

Mecha Sonic hovers down, firing plasma spheres at Segata.

Finally, Metal Sonic activates "SPEED GEAR!" moving with enough speed and precision that it is able to throw a volley of punches at both Schezo and Segata, then bound over to Majima and grab him by the leg, in a single second.

Edited by KiriK on Feb 8th 2020 at 3:05:05 AM

Schezo roar in fury when he's attacked, and he retaliate with a flurry of slashes, attempting to hit the bots attacking him!