Inside Lady's Office, a skinny, black haired man who only introduced himself as "V" last night was staring at a picture of a smiling Lady and Dante standing side by side. He put the picture down as he turned to the door.

"Wrong? No. I'm just....keeping out of the way. I'm afraid me and Dante, we.....did not see eye to eye. Never have, not since we were children. Our "Conversation", such as it was, ended with him partly blaming me for the current situation with the woman."

He motions toward the picture.

"Blame I cannot truly dispute. I may not have dealt the blow that caused her to be captured, I may not have truly known his plans for her, but my actions, driven by a single minded pursuit of power, were a considerable factor in the events that played out."

He stays silent for a moment after that.

"....How is my s.....Nero doing?"

In the back of the group, four of the thieves, save Joker and Makoto, turned to face the web crawler as he dropped down.

"Dude!" Ryuji yelled a little too loudly. "That's a sick costume!"

He extends his hand for a hi-five.

"With an outfit like that, he must be like a phantom thief whereever he comes from." Morgana said, in cartoon cat form next to them. "Oh, oh, whats's your codename? Spider? Arachnid? Web-head?"

Meanwhile, Makoto gave Joker a look

"Inmate? Are they talking about the probation?"

"Erm.....no."

For the first time, Joker seemed unsure as he debated how much to try to explain.

".....Later."

"Ooooook." Makoto just shrugged and motioned for the team to enter. As they did, Ryuji looked down at Caroline, over at Joker, then did something everyone within a 50 foot radius would regret.

Open his mouth.

"Holy shit, Joker, I didn't know you were into that kind of thing."

Everyone stopped in place and turned to give Ryuji looks.

They weren't positive looks.

".....What?" Joker asked, hoping to god this wasen't going where he thought it was.

"I mean, look man, I'm not going to judge, ok, like, we all have our things, right? But why'd you go and bring her here? If you're that desperate, I'm sure we can find somewhere later where-OW!"

It was at that second that Ann slapped this dumb shit upside the head. Meanwhile, Makoto just looked down at Caroline, giving her a look that clearly said "You wanna hit him first?"

HGT, PANDORA: Visiting the Freak Show

Nishijima walked down the empty halls with a brisk in his step. So much progress had been made over the past twenty-four hours:

He had access to Mitakihara's medical facilities, which were now mass producing Institute-grade medication. The second generation of Synths were now in production, as was their armor and rifles. Over two dozen air transports were tested and ready to fly, and soon he would have texts from Luna Nova to add to PANDORA's library. Business was booming, and his fortress within the walls was becoming a bona fide powerhouse; he could probably win a war against the rest of the city, if he wanted to.

Yet in the midst of all this success, the Research Director had almost forgotten about his resident biologist, Albert Wesker. Truth be told, Nishijima was happier to keep the madman at arm's length; the way he boasted about enslaving that body guard of his was absolutely sickening, and for that alone he should've washed his hands clean of Umbrella. But Wesker brought results, and if his little projects were a great benefit to PANDORA, he'd hate to imagine how they'd fare against it. Whether it's Earth or Battleworld, there are just some geniuses that must be praised and pampered...because you don't ever want to make an enemy out of them.

It was with this thought in mind that Nishijima turned the corner and paused to erase any reluctance in his expression. This was just a detour. Whatever this was about, he'd be back to his planned schedule soon enough. Nishijima turned for the door to Wesker's laboratory, knocked, and entered.

"Mr. Wesker." Nishijima smiled politely. "I take it there's something you wish to discuss?"

HGT, Portal Area: Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Since the portal to Hell's Gate Tokyo was unguarded on the Common Room end, the Ecologists and their merc bodyguards were free to enter.

Of course, the other side of the portal was a different story. No less than fifteen mechanical humanoids were present beyond the chain-link fence engulfing the portal. The machines appeared to be one of two models: a rudimentary collection of metal pipes and circuits that looked like it spawned straight from a nightmare,◊ and a more palatable fleshier type with a form of synthetic covering to act as skin.◊ All of them were armed with either pistols or rifles, but they had not decided to take aim at the visitors just yet.

One of the fleshier machines approached the Ecologist group through the only opening in the fence. It wore a white suit plated with combat armor on the arms, legs, and torso, but lacked a helmet in order to display its new expression features and give the visitors a chance to stare into its glowing horrific satanic eyes!

"Good morning." It said with heavily synthesized inflections. "Welcome to: Tokyo. Please state your business."

The Velvet Room, Doorway: Gone Recruiting

As the allies began to file in, a man in a black coat approached the doorway. Thankfully, his face was covered by a mask, so he could keep whatever expressions he made at Ryuji to himself.

Turning back to the task at hand, Hei addressed Makoto and Joker: "A few of us tried recruiting from contacts we've made across the planet. Managed to get quite a bit of support, so now we're just waiting for everyone to arrive. Havoc shared some more intel on that thing's territory, but I'll wait till the others are here to share it."

Then, as an afterthought, Hei glanced at the man in a spider-themed body suit.

"Nice mask."

Devil May Cry, Lady's Office: He Could Sure Use A HAND!◊

The figure by the door didn't move, didn't change her expression, didn't even make a sign that she heard anything V had said. But she had, since her answer regarding Nero was a soft "Better."

It was true, too; just last night, the newly-amputated demon hunter didn't have the spirit to even whine. Now he was complaining that his miraculous new super-prosthetic wasn't getting constructed fast enough! What an improvement!

But Nero's condition wasn't why Yin stepped into this office, and V's history between him and his brother wasn't about to raise the scrawny man's spirits anytime soon. The Doll elected to start the path to healing by sticking her nose where it really didn't belong.

"So why do you stay?"

Fairy Tail, Guild Hall: The Most Important Meal of the Day!

Soon after his violent escape from sleep, Link had put on his boots and utility belt and rushed downstairs to the guild hall. Normally he would've tried to go back to sleep (especially in such a comfy bed!), but he sensed that there was something even more compelling than sleep:

The smell of food!

The little hero rushed into the kitchen where he found Mirajane cooking something that smelled delicious. But when he moved to start helping by rummaging through a big metal box that felt really cold inside, the wizard assured him that there was nothing he needed to do, and that breakfast would be ready soon so he should wait patiently in the guild hall.

Link left the kitchen with a puzzled frown. He'd always handled making his own meals, ever since Saria taught him how when he was really little. But every meal he'd had on Battleworld was made for him, without him having to do anything—not even pay for it.

How strange.

"So." Tatl said as she studied the canvas of exhaustion and dehydration before her. "Looks like you guys had a fun night."

As the fairy fluttered over to check if all the wizards were still breathing, the little hero had hopped to a table bench and begun writing in a little notebook with a bomb imprinted on the cover. He'd been meaning to assemble a list of good deeds to accomplish on this planet, but hadn't had much time to put pen to paper. Whether they're in Termina or Battleworld, a Bomber's job is never done!

So far, the list was easy to draft:

Get Yukari a new note book

Plant a flower for the butter fly

Teach Jaune good jokes

Bake Ozen some cookys

Have Minako and Lady become friends

Keep all the Fairy Tail animals happy

Lurn more fairy facts for Mavis

But as he retraced his adventure so far, an especially somber note struck in his mind. He hadn't been the nicest person to everyone, and a certain memory had appeared in that dream he now only half-remembered. So with a guilt-ridden sigh, Link added one final task to the list:

Tell Satori I'm sorry

Edited by TheodoreHastings on Dec 30th 2019 at 6:08:48 AM

Mitakihara Hospital - Day 5

As the fighters from the Labyrinth re-emerged gradually from seemingly all over the hospital, calls for help and sudden meetings of unexpected guests would echo through the halls. The majority of the new visitors would likely find themselves facing some questions from the police and American military trying to figure out what the fruitcake was going on until Mami emerged from one of the patient rooms, visibly exhausted but taking charge of the personnel logistics by explaining to the local authorities that they had just defeated a Witch. It would be enough for the soldiers to begin arranging transportation for those wishing to head back to the Common Room for the evening, even though there were still questions about Lady’s whereabouts.

For Cana, the call for a doctor would be answered mercifully quick as a paramedic would respond, getting a rolling bed over quickly and helping Cana place the green-haired patient on it before beginning to roll it back towards the room she was. Outside the corner of the hallway, the rapid footsteps of two teenage girls in middle school uniforms trying to dance around the commotion of the hospital would catch her attention: “Cana! Is that Hitomi-chan?” Madoka’s voice would ask as they appeared at the door.

“Looks like it.” Sayaka looked over from their friend to Cana. “Thanks again.” All things considered, she didn't look all that bad for having slogged through an extradimensional pit of vicious creatures, though the exhaustion on her face was evident.

“I hope everyone else made it out OK…” Madoka wouldn't have long to worry about whether the others in the Labyrinth were alright when both her and Sayaka's phones let out the quiet buzz-buzz of an incoming text message. Both of them would go to check their phones to see what it said, Sayaka's angled in such a way that Cana would be able to see over her shoulder as well:

But what really seemed to draw her attention was the second line.

The two would look at each other with rather unsure looks on their faces, which quickly turned to brief panic as they hid their phones upon seemingly just then remembering that Cana was also in the room with them. "Uh-uhm, well, it looks like Hitomi will be OK," Sayaka said after looking over their friend. "She'll probably wake up in an hour or two — we ought to get back and, uh, make sure our parents...know we're...OK…"

"Y-yeah, we should head back...um, thanks again for everything, Cana! Oh, and, uh...we'd really appreciate it if you kept this a secret. Please?" With one last look of pleading innocence, Madoka would back out of the room and quickly go to follow her friend out.

Elsewhere in the hospital, Homura would play out her own exit a lot more smoothly than her fellow Magical Girl. All it took was a conveniently needed trip to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription of nitrates and she was able to walk out the door under the noses of the police and military once they allowed civilians to enter and exit again. Her eyes darted around for any faces she had seen back in the Labyrinth, ready to break into a run should someone try to call attention to her before she could head down the street and towards Mitakihara Middle School.

She really didn't want any uninvited eyes or ears for what she was to tell...or their potential reactions to them.

Edited by megarockman on Dec 31st 2019 at 5:46:18 AM

Day 6

Common Room

"This is the Common Room," Alucard said as if directing a guided tour of the Common Room after Lisa and him had left the Portal from Manhattan. "Behind us are all the portals to all the lands on the planet that the Cure has dubbed Battleworld. Over to our left is where the Cure himself sits."

Alucard glanced to see if the Cure was actually there or not.

"In the center of this room is a globe which depicts Battleworld itself. Across the room is a hallway which has doors for those groups on Battleworld who have no land. In the corners are four doors which lead to private meeting rooms."

Fairy Tail Guild Hall

"Can't I at least have one sip?"

"No!"

"But it's the good stuff!"

"I do not care if it's the good stuff. We need you sober if we are to save Lady from whatever Nyarly has done to her."

As Shanoa and a man in pirate garb watched the argument happening between Trevor and a woman in a blue cloak, they soon noticed that the Fairy Tail Guild was now awake and that Link and Tatl had joined them.

"Good morning," Shanoa seemed to have her own cup of hot cocoa as she greeted everyone.

"They had a fun night," Trevor grumbled as he continued to be sore about not getting the good stuff. "I did not."

"Well, we had to tell everyone what happened," Sypha looked over the room, pacing as if she was just as worried about Lady and eager to fight Nyarlathotep as Dante was.

Dracula, Castlevania Entrance

The guards looked at each other and looked at the rain above. Eventually, the drawbridge, which was now fixed at this point, soon fell down to allow one entrance... or well, allow one to exit. A figure clad in a well-worn travelling cloak which covered every inch of his body except his face walked forward out in the rain onto the drawbridge.

"I am he," Dracula introduced himself. "If we are to have a meeting, it should be some place a little... drier, Emperor Vayne."

Wherever Vayne decided to go for a more dry place would be fine with Dracula.

Fairy Tail, Guild Hall: Wait, What?!

Tatl suppressed a chuckle at the sight of the argument. It wasn't often she saw boys get barked into line by a girl, except for the Deku Scrub King of Woodfall, and...well, her partner. Now that they didn't have to worry about 72 hour deadlines, she was enforcing a strict 8:30 bedtime. The kid was too young to be burning the midnight oil like they had been; it'd mess with his growth!

But while Tatl was focusing on Trevor, Link was focusing on the woman in blue. The little hero's ears twitched at the words "save Lady," and he immediately slammed the Bomber's notebook shut. The wide-eyed look he shot at the witch was a heightened version of Sypha's own, likely the same shocked face she had when Trevor gave her the news last night.

With just one glance at her partner, the fairy was also caught up in the urgency. "Wait a minute...what happened?"

Kruglov and his associates were a bit surprised to see what seemed to be...a large amount of robots guarding the entrance to this Tokyo. Mechanical constructs? That was certainly new. Sure, they made discoveries into creating exoskeleton armor but actual robotic AI? They still haven't got into that, even with their discoveries from the Zone itself.

Looking at their bodyguards to settle down and not do any trouble, they nodded and allowed Kruglov to pass through and speak to the Synth. He seemed curious about it, looking at it for a few seconds, but then quickly got himself together about why he was here and spoke to the Synth.

"Ahem. Greetings. I am Professor Kruglov, one of the lead scientists from Kiev, Ukraine's research institute sent to the Chernobyl Zone of Alienation along with my colleagues," He would then point to his fellow ecologists, who awkwardly waved at the Synth. "to study that phenomenon, its anomalies, the mutants, why was it created and how could it benefit positively humanity."

"We are currently performing a project in which we document the chunks of this Battleworld, its people, and find out about their history. We are also willing to share our knowledge from the Zone with any scientist in your land, also..."

He would motion to Pietro, who would then open the large bag slightly, as it would then emit a glow of beautiful colours, one if they even paid attention could see some green crystal shaped object floating gently in the bag, before the scientist closed it.

"We have artifacts from the Zone we are willing to trade to your scientists free of charge to study. They have beneficial qualities like being able to quickly heal wounds that would take weeks, purge radiation from the body, allow the human body to resist electrical shocks that would kill a normal human and so on. All we ask is if we can document your land and speak to any important people here. We promise we mean no harm. Most of us are scientists that don't know how to fight and only our bodyguards do."

HGT, Portal Area: Checks Out

The synthetic humanoid started patiently at Professor Kruglev throughout the explanation. When a pause followed to announce that the Ecologists were waiting for an answer, the Synth replied:

"Strong eye contact. Calm breathing. Microexpressions within expected parameters...you are not lying."

Tiny hydraulics in the Synth's cheeks contracted, raising the flaps around its oral port upwards.

"Welcome: Professor Kruglov." it "smiled," and turned back to exit the small enclosure. The Ecologists and their mercenaries would be allowed access outside the fenced area, but would be stopped if they tried to run—by force, if necessary.

"Based on your statements, I suggest your destination should be: the Physicalquantity Alternation Natural Deconstruction Organized Research Agency. PANDORA is the home to the world's most brilliant minds, as well as the most cutting edge in technology."

A short pause followed as the Synth searched its memory files for more information, but perhaps the visitors might assume the full stop was to direct their attention to exactly what was speaking to them, as an awkward version of "case and point."

"The executive figure of PANDORA is presently one: Nishijima, Eric. Mr. Nishijima's approximate location is: PANDORA. Be advised that entering the research facility involves considerable mental and physical health risks, including death. All weaponry must be confiscated at the checkpoint before entering the facility. We apologize for any inconvenience—your safety and the safety of PANDORA staff are our top concern."

It paused once more, then added: "Shall I request transportation for you?"

Day 5

Freedom Bar - The Zone

"It's like cossacks, but better," Lucy said flatly once they had gotten out of the way and out of earshot from others. "And there's a dozen more bottles just like it if you do us a teensy tiny little favor."

Happy held his paws up with almost no space between them to emphasize just how tiny the favor really was.

"Just tell us where the RG-6s are being stored."

"Yeah!" Happy nodded vigorously.

Panda Town - Sakura Dungeon

"Now... I guess we split the reward and join in the feast?" the Fox Knight said to the Yordles as the pandas and tribeswomen were clearing out and taking care of each other. Some of the pandas were already efficiently taking down the walls. Mostly by punching them. Efficiently punching them.

As she spoke, a panda with a large chest was heading over towards them. When she arrived, the panda set down the chest and opened it up to reveal the pile of mana shards that were kept within.

"Your reward," the Panda said with a nod to the Yordles. Then she nodded at the Fox Knight. "And if you come with me, I will present you your share."

"Oh, guess I have to go for now, don't wait up for me, you remember how to get back to town right? If you don't have a place to stay you can take the guest bedroom in my house - I mean the guild. Anyway, bye." With a wave, the Fox Knight left the Yordles with their loot, while some of the pandas were setting up tables and chairs.

Mitakihara - Hospital

"You kids stay safe out there, okay?" Cana waved as the megucas left. She checked on Hitomi one more time, and then exited the floor via the stairway, making sure to use her Card Wardrobe to change into a black, form-fitting outfit to reduce her visibility at night. She had to pay a visit to a school rooftop....

Day 6

Fairy Tail Guild Hall

"I just remember the dancing, and then nothing...." Wendy said to Tatl, eyes wide.

"Well, we're definitely going to have a lot to do today so eat up!" Mirajane said as she set down plate after plate of bacon, eggs, and toast on the table.

"Oh yes, awful news that she's missing," Mavis took a sip of her cocoa, the solemnly shook her head. "Between her and that Mau fellow, there's quite a lot of people who seem to be disappearing. Or at least lost. From here on out it would be a really good idea to always have someone with you so that nobody is alone and goes missing, alright?"

Maeve and Ryuuou (and Staff) - Sakura Dungeon -> Common Room -> Former Hell

After a brief check-in between the characters with names, it was decided that in order to cultivate their existing relationship with Former Hell, Maeve and Ryuuou should head back and try to see what sort of . Or at least Maeve would be tasked with that, Ryuuou could follow along if she felt like it. Which she would, as it was kind of boring otherwise.

That was why it was time to head out, just the two of them. Just the two of them, and Ryuuou's maids, who today were tasked with holding the umbrellas. A quick trip through town and the gardens, a very quick trip through the portal and the common room, and then finally a step through the final portal leading to Former Hell.

Former Hell, which was completely underground, so the umbrellas were no longer needed. The two attendants, their expressions completely hiding any discomfort or unhappiness that they had gotten soaked by the showers while their charges had been the ones to benefit, simply took a step back and shook the umbrellas clear of water with a single sword-like slash, then stood at attention. Another reason for the umbrellas was to keep the trays they carried dry as well, so as to prevent the sake and mochi upon them from being diluted or spoiled by the downpour.

"Well, it's only been a day, so surely you lot haven't forgotten us!" Maeve proudly declared as soon as she was through the portal. "This time we have come to bring tidings to your leader on behalf of Ceri, the Knight... and Yomi, the Dungeon Lord... of Sakura Dungeon! I, Maeve the Knight, have come to speak of peace. As has Ryuuou the might dragon!"

Ryuuou said nothing, somehow having produced a file in the last five seconds and distracted herself with the proper filing of her nails.

"So..." Maeve blinked. "...we wish to meet with the woman in charge of this land."

kr-kr-krrr...kkrrrrrrRRRACK.

Aaaahhh...no matter what she does, Ozen never seems to find a position that just works for her. After all the trouble she went through to get a real down bed through the Abyss...

Her creaking back was only one part of her body that existed to annoy her; the way her knees, worn down by regular feet-first falls and constant lifting of things larger than herself, felt made her wonder if she was just an old cretin that hadn't had the intelligence to sequester herself into a retirement home. To waste away and become feeble was what Ozen considered those bothersome times that her body protested her awakening...

It was going to be a long day, presumably.

Her food stores were always a concern. The charity of those stalls set up in the main room wasn't going to last long enough for her to see this out. Ozen stared into her pantry, filled with hardtack and dried fish as old as she was, and wanted something nicer. There wasn't much choice about where to go, today.

Through the front door of Fairy Tail came the Immovable Lord, though perhaps diminished in grandure. Her armor was left behind, so the only thing left was the statuesque woman with her stateliness reduced by the fact that she wordlessly went for the first plate of breakfast food she saw and ate it in a calm, but very fast manner.

Now awake enough to face the morning, she looked around the guild hall and noticed the abundance of people that weren't her, Link, and the insect.

"...Everyone must be just as greedy as I am, if they're all here for free food," she mused to herself.

The first thing that Maeve and Ryuuou might've noticed was different was the fact that there were at least ten heavily armed and armored oni there to greet them. Parsee was there, too, just diminished as she sat behind her little desk by the mere presence of these spear-wielding brutes.

There were a lot of eyes suddenly upon them and their host when they stepped through the door, with a few clacks of armor accompanying the guards shifting into a more rigid position in response.

"...Uhh, hello again," Parsee said to them. "I'm glad to see you again^* SO I CAN WAIT FOR YOU TO TURN YOUR BACK ON ME AND I CAN CUT YOU OPEN AND LEAVE YOU BLEEDING ON THE BRIDGE PATH FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME YESTERDAY YOU CONTENTEDLY ACTUALLY MARRIED SKANKS but it's...changed a bit since we last talked! Gosh, it feels like it's been months, hasn't it it? I'd just like to know who you mean, exactly, by leader."

Mitakihara Middle School - Night 5

There was some distance from the hospital to the front gate of a modern glass building, closed and apparently locked for the night if the fact that Sayaka and Madoka could be seen bypassing it in favor of a wall corner shaded by a couple of rather tall trees, Sayaka transforming into her Magical Girl outfit before hoisting her friend onto her back and leaping up a couple times to a branch high enough to cross above the wall before hopping back down in a similar fashion. They would then head for one of the side entrances before looking around, checking for eyewitnesses before going inside. The classrooms within would look a bit more foreboding in the dark, all of the desks folded away into the floor — at least, it would seem to put Sayaka on edge as she kept a step ahead of Madoka, their footsteps on the floor the only sounds that would echo through the empty halls.

"...Hey, Sayaka-chan? Do you think the school will open again soon?"

"Who knows? It's still Golden Week — school was supposed to be off the rest of the week anyway."

"So maybe on Monday?"

"Maybe." Sayaka would push open the door at the top of the stairs leading to the rooftop, stepping through and letting Madoka follow through. They'd be quiet save for the subdued ambience of the city below as they walked towards the middle of the roof. "What time is it?"

Madoka checked on her phone. "10:28.Do you think Homura-chan make it here in time?"

"Knowing her? She's probably already been here for five minutes."

"Thirteen, actually."

The voice from the corner behind them would cause Madoka and Sayaka to turn around, their eyes wide in surprise. "Kyoko-chan? What are you doing here?"

Kyoko would step out in her normal civilian attire. "She asked me to come here too," she answered Madoka in a rather solemn voice, which didn't go unnoticed by the two.

"Why's that?"

"It's...probably better if she explains it."

"You already know about...whatever this is? And where is Transfer Student anyway?"

"I've heard already what she said. And she said she was checking to make sure no one else was here and that the security system was disabled."

"She knows how to disable it?"

"Apparently."

"So I guess we wait for her?"

"That won't be necessary." Everyone would turn back towards where Homura's voice came from as she emerged from the shadows. She looked at Sayaka and Madoka with a sterner than usual gaze. "Does anyone know you're here?"

"No, we didn't tell Mami-san like you said."

"And other people?"

Sayaka let out a sigh of exasperation. "Look, just what is going on here, Transfer Student? You're being even more bossy than usual. What's so important that you're doing all this and not telling Mami-san about it?"

Homura would look at Sayaka right in the eyes for what seemed like an eternity. "You really want to know, Miki-san?"

Kruglov nodded to the Synth as they went outside the fenced area as motioned, not giving any trouble.

Mist and Shade grumbled to themselves as they heard they would have to leave away their weaponry. They seriously hoped no fools would do anything that damage their guns, especially their M 4 A 1 and M249 SAW. Not only that but physical and mental risks? And here they thought they left the damn Zone.

Meanwhile, Kruglov just nodded in response. "Of course. Security is a understandable concern, especially in where we came from, so there is no problem from us. And a transport would be greatly appreciated. We uh...don't really know anything about Tokyo's landscape, considering most of my team and I myself have only been in Ukraine, so being taken to this PANDORA to meet Eric Nishijima would be a nice gesture if you don't mind."

"What, oh, t-the grenade launcher explodey things? Of course....heh, that's easy. I c-can't b-b-believe you guys forgot about it, heh." Chef slurred for a bit, but smiled at the idea of getting a lot of vodka for free.

"Theyre... hidden on the bloodsucker village north from here, in the base-m-ment of a green house thingy, I think. Man I would really like to...see them, but I would...like a drink of vodka too, man. Aw hell, can I get...some?"

The yordles and the rat examined the large chest for a moment. Well, they at least got something out of this mess. Maybe when they return here, they can spend it on loads of things. Well, hopefully.

Twitch and Veigar waved goodbye at the Fox Knight, as then they realized...it might take a bit of team effort to carry this chest back to base...or what seems like base.

"...Ugh. Manual labor? That's supposed to be grunt things, not for special forces." Twitch complained to himself, as Veigar sighed.

"Just don't complain and help me out with this! Teemo, help us will you?"

Teemo looked at the gathering of pandas celebrating...before moving along and helping Twitch and Veigar carry a chest bigger than them as they headed back to their rooms.

Sakura Dungeon is explored, and in their reports, a friendly area in their books.

Day 5

Freedom Base

"Bloodsucker village?" Lucy frowned, but wrote down the details so she wouldn't forget. "Yeah, knock yourself out. Don't think we want to carry these back. And it's getting late, I don't think I want to go checking out this place at night."

With that, she and happy GTFO, making sure to stop by the portal and gift Degtyarev that bottle of whiskey she had kept in her backpack - always a good idea to grease the wheels by giving the portal guy a token of appreciation. After that it was straight back to the Guild.

Day 6

Maeve and Ryuuou (and Staff) - Former Hell Arrival

"Oh, it's you.... Greetings!" Maeve said loudly to Parsee. "I would have thought you'd be enjoying your new marriage, but it is good to see you nonetheless. As for your leader, I speak of the one named Satori Komeiji. That is the name which is inscribed upon the circle of the world in the room beyond the portal, the one which proclaims her to be the one chosen to represent your land."

Ryuuou yawned, then changed which finger she was filing.

"You... know where she is? Surely?" Maeve's grin wavered for a slight moment, then she somehow stood up straighter and redoubled her grinning. "But that can certainly wait for a moment, tell me, how are your wife and daughter?"

Yomi and Ceri - Sakura Dungeon - Starbucks

"So this place makes... tea?" Ceri asked with a great deal of confusion as she looked around the store.

"So it would seem," Yomi said as she studied the automated kiosk. Apparently in a futuristic city, they had replaced most employees with robots. All employees, save the one who was tasked with explaining things to confused patrons. "Hiriko assured me that it can create tea in the modern fashion, which seems to mean it is capable of being consumed easily when standing."

"Standing?" Ceri asked, perplexed.

"I don't see the appeal either, but she was quite thrilled by the prospect." Yomi shrugged. "Anyway, please continue the tour."

"Tea, coffee, cocoa, any sort of drink you'd care to try! You use it just like... this...." The helpful space fox standing by the device explained how it worked in a few dozen seconds, going over the intricacies of adjusting drink orders. Eventually, Yomi got an Empress's Cloud and Mist Green Tea, while Ceri ordered the Strawberries N' Creme Frappuccino.

Fairy Tail Guild Hall

It looked like the others were about to react to the stranger walking into the guild, but Mirajane waved over at Ozen almost immediately. "Hiya Ozen! Right in time, help yourself to some breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day, and you need to keep your energy up, teehee!"

"If you really feel torn up about it, you could always pay Mirajane, lady," Lucy shrugged at Ozen and nibbled on her toast. "The cabinets are just going to keep restocking anyway."

"Yeah! All the fish I want!" Happy exclaimed while taking a big bite out of a tuna that was sitting on a plate. Carla shook her head, mumbled something about tomcats, and then more daintily ate her own salmon with a knife and fork.

"We don't know if there's a limit, so you better make sure another strawberry shortcake gets conjured into place before eating one you take out of the fridge," Erza said with a sharp tone as she ate a strawberry shortcake.

Wendy took a sip from her glass of orange juice and then looked up (and up, and up, and up) until she was looking at Ozen's face.

"H-hi," she said to the towering woman. "I'm Wendy."

Day 5

Grant, Freedom Base, The Zone

"A... Vampire Village?!" Grant exclaimed as he mentally translated the word 'Bloodsucker' for a type of bloodsucker he personally knows, before noting how late things were. "Lucy is right... It would be best if we returned tomorrow... and with help."

Grant muttered at the end there before following Lucy and Happy out of this land. This place seriously needs a Belmont if there was an entire village of vampires in it.

Day 6

Fairy Tail Guild Hall

"Well, that is just a matter of course when dealing with a deceptive shape-shifter like Nyarlathotep," Sypha said to Mavis before looking over the others who had joined them before smiling a fake smile. "Sit down and eat... It is a long story and I do not think Minako and the others are ready yet."

"For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sypha Belnades and this is Grant Danasty. We're friends of Trevor Belmont and Shanoa," Sypha began her explanation, before being interrupted by Trevor.

"From what we know, Nyarlathotep is a monster worse than Dracula," Trevor turned directly to Link and Tatl. "Worse than Majora's Mask."

"He shape-shifts, reads minds, summons monsters, attacks with magic, teleports, and was seemingly undefeatable," Trevor and the others began eating breakfast. "He's also attacked multiple people and multiple lands with the latest being the land of Mitakihara."

"In that attack, Lady, a friend of ours, was captured and was apparently corrupted into a Shadow by this monster," Sypha interrupted Trevor, clenching her fists in anger about not being there. "This monster seems to come from the same world as Minako Arisato & SEES do with access to similar magic, so she would be a better source on what has actually happened to Lady and how to deal with it."

"We learned of what the monster is doing to Lady from Havoc, a villain who turned herself over to us," Trevor interrupted Sypha again before pulling out the Vampire Killer. "Havoc was the one who attacked me and gave my weapon to Dracula."

"Thankfully, Minako and an ally of ours who calls himself the Black Reaper have come up with a plan to hopefully save Lady and finally stop the monster, who Minako calls Nyarly and I suggest you do the same," Sypha interrupted Trevor again. "As such, everyone who can fight has been invited to the Velvet Room where SEES stays because we want Nyarly to go down for good."

Edited by GameGuruGG on Jan 6th 2020 at 3:09:11 AM

Common Room — Shadow & Interceptor

Unless Strelok was sleeping heavily, he would probably feel something nudging softly on his leg as he rested in his seat.

If this was enough to wake up Strelok, he'd see that whatever was touching him was an intimidating Doberman Pinscher that just happened to want to get a close look at Strelok. Standing a few meters away from the dog was a masked man in lightweight black armor, watching Strelok from a safe distance while he kept his arms folded. The masked man didn't speak, but observed Strelok closely.

Strelok eyes slowly opened up, as he took notice of...a dog near him, along with a strange figure staring at him.

...The hell?

The stalker looked over at the black armoured figure, slowly getting up from the chair. He knew nothing could happen to harm him here, but was still a bit wary about the dog and this guy.

"Do you need something?" Strelok asked.

Fairy Tail, Guild Hall: Gotta Get Back, Back to the Past

Tatl gave the Immovable Lord a wide berth. Even without her armor, Ozen's black eyes and beanstalk physique told the fairy exactly who she was. No point in striking conversation with her, especially since she was just here for the food.

As the wizards and vampire hunters began to eat, they might notice that Link refused to follow Sypha's request. The boy's plate of eggs and bacon remained untouched, his eyes locked on the witch and Mr. Belmont. The little hero's eyebrows slowly drooped down through their back-and-forth debriefing, till a frown emerged and he stared beyond the speakers with a downright scowl.

The thought of a monster worse than Dracula brought someone other than Nyarlathotep to mind. And if the Lady was being forced to do his bidding, then this was just like what happened to Nabooru. He wasn't about to sit around and let someone suffer like that again. Without even looking at the plat in front of him, Link stowed the Bomber's Notebook away and pulled out the Ocarina of Time.

He'd been debating when this power would be needed since yesterday, when Mr. Belmont shared that his magic whip had been stolen. Since then, the reasons to use it kept piling up: the revival of Goht, endangering Satori's sister, wrecking Chireiden, and now this. He could fix all of it—correct his mistakes and stop wasting time on searches that went nowhere. All he needed to do was play the song.

Tatl was on high alert as the first B note flooded the room.

"Hey, wait a minute! We don't know how far back we'll go!"

Link ignored the warning. E, G, B, E...

"At least wait for me!" the fairy cried as she dove under her partner's cap.

The solemn and sacred tune ended, and Link waited for the world around him to fade away.

...except it didn't. There was no white void, no echo of the Song of Time, no feeling that the ground would give way and let him fall back in time. Just reality as they knew it, and a chill rushing through his blood.

"It...didn't work?"

Tatl ventured out from her barrier, and fluttered above the table.

"Huh. Well that's a pain. Maybe the Goddess of Time's too far away to help us. Guess we can't count on any do-overs from here on ou—"

SLAM!

Link snarled at the table, his fist pulsing with pain.

"Calm down!" the fairy groaned. "If you're that upset about this, then we just have to rescue her the old-fashioned way."

Link shot his partner a stern look, as if to say "she wouldn't need to be rescued if everything worked the way it should!"

"There's no use crying over spilled milk, and you know it! So stop looking at me like that and eat your food, it's getting cold."

That was probably a lie, but Tatl suspected that Ozen wasn't above snatching her partner's food if he continued to ignore it. Fortunately, the little hero blew out his anger through his nose, and started eating as fast as he could.

The sooner they were done here, the sooner he could help the Lady!

Trevor, Fairy Tail Guild Hall

"It's not the... err, Goddess of Time being too far away," Trevor corrected Tatl's misconception as he tossed what looked to be a Pocket Watch on the table for all to see, one which had 13 numbers on it instead of 12. "Nothing that manipulates the flow of time works here... I learned that after I tried to use my Stopwatch to pause time and after I talked to someone who originally had the innate power to go back in time at the cost of getting younger."

"It's clearly also true for your musical instrument and likely true for anyone else used to using time magic," Trevor looked at the others in the room, as he took back the Stopwatch to pocket it.

Edited by GameGuruGG on Jan 9th 2020 at 5:53:36 AM

Common Room — Shadow & Interceptor

The masked man in the black armor kept his arms folded confidently, only looking down an inch to see his dog return to his side.

"My dog doesn't usually get close to strangers without biting them. He likes you."

The man kneels down and pats the Doberman on the back a few times. "Why'd you pick this room to sleep in?"

"Alfred is pretty similar." Tatsu replied with a small smile.

"Alright." The young captain nodded lightly at Amber's words, even with her back to him still. "Just go straight to the medical bay and Seagull will get you set up and help you."

He watched her go after she gave her departing words, before he turned to look out over the bridge with a thoughtful look.

Within the hull of the airship the Red Sprite, the residents went about their lives as the rumble of thunder from beyond the metal walls made them shake lightly each time it happened nearby. A storm had rolled some time during the night, and blanketed the entire land in roiling storm clouds. It was pretty much the perfect hiding conditions from the airship, which they were making liberal use of as they flew silently over the various lands below.

Within the belly of the ship, Tatsu stood with his two other friends as they made sure they were prepped. Mono stood close to the dark-haired teen, his arms wrapped around his lightning rod as he shifted nervously in place, while Alfred checked over his rifles once more before floating them back in their cloth cover and strapping them to his back. Tatsu looked at the two. "Ready?"

Mono nodded rapidly for a moment, while Alfred nodded once; A serious expression on his face. "I'm still not sure about this, but if it's as serious as has been said, then we'll take the risk."

And with that, the trio moved past the now further strengthened barricade around the portal and then through the glowing thing itself.

In an instant, they were standing in the familiar white room, armed and obviously ready for something, as they looked about.

With the brochure in had, it was decided that they would spend some time looking about the new city. It was a marvel beyond what Delfi had thought would be possible, even with thundercores. And yet there were things in it that Edenia would do anything to get hold of, and all powered without a thundercore involved at all. Or even coal. It left the young woman with complicated feelings, which she quickly drowned out with her companion's excitement.

Soon she found herself swept up in it as they moved from building to building, finding everything from places that showed films on a big screen, to a store full of more food than Delfi had ever seen in one place before. Everything was shiny and clean, and made from metal, glass or other stuff she didn't recognize. By the time the sun was beginning to finally set, the girl was pleasantly exhausted. Satisfied, she pointed the wolf woman back in the direction of the town; Ready to call it a day.

After a short trip and brief wrangling of her monster companion as she tried to rocket the two of them through the streets eagerly, they ended up back at the inn. It was a... mixed affair for the young woman, thanks to a number of events that reminded her of just how depraved the land she was in was. Involving a storage closet, and the state of the bathing areas. But eventually she was clean, fed and ready to sleep. With her companion in her own room of course, regardless of the whining that caused.

Delfi woke with a sudden cry, sweat-drenched and panting heavily as she gasped for air; Tears stinging the corners of her eyes. The sudden shot of adrenaline through her washed away the lingering haze of sleep, and left her shuddering and quivering as a wave of emotions ran through her. The pain in her back was a fading memory, a remnant of what had happened years ago. Yet its effects still lingered as she felt, or rather didn't, her legs where they sat uselessly under the covers. Her nails dug into her palm as she pushed down the urge to cry, not wanting to let her attendants see again.

Then, the events of the last day returned to the young woman, and she wavered a little. And almost as if to further affirm them, Delfi spotted a familiar figure curled up at the foot of the bed; Sleeping happily. "W-What are you doing?!"

Delfi pulled the covers up to her neck, feeling oddly exposed despite being clad in a long sleeping gown. Shocked to find the other woman in the room with her, and on the bed as well. The entire situation was suddenly flipped on its head, her sadness quickly overwhelmed by embarrassment and displeasure. "How did you-why are you on my bed?"

"Huh. Normally most dogs that I meet try to bite my throat off, but that's because they're horribly mutated and are extremely aggressive. One liking me is a nice change of pace."

Strelok started to get up from his chair, looking at Shadow and his dog for a moment.

"Call it a hunch," He glanced at the portal to the Zone before shrugging. "But I got a feeling that the portal leading to my land could possibly have a death trap, or some bandits waiting for someone to come over and rob them blind. My land is...not the safest place. At least here I don't have to worry about dying or having to keep a eye open on my sleep."

Outside the meeting awaited Minako's chariot. A single floating roomba hovered at about chair height, waiting for the girl to plop her self down. The others still had a number of things to take care of, including escorting the rest of the guests off the premises and getting these teenagers to bed. There was still a curfew they had to follow after all. Minako would be given the chance to wrap up any last things she needed to, but Croix was waiting and it was getting late.

When Minako sat down, the machine adjusted to the added weight and began its journey. Perhaps to the disappointment to the excitable SEES girl, despite being a flying machine, it kept close to the ground and an easy brisk pace as it moved. It was hard too. Croix could of at least added a cushion or something to the machine. On the other hand, it was probably at least more comfortable then straddling a wooden broom.

It was late now. The halls were empty except for small traces of girls sneaking around after curfew, holding copies of scary movies and snacks as they entered friend's dorms. A few goblins stood guard as temporary nights security. Though the eyes painted on their sleep masks weren't fooling anyone, especially considering how loud they snored. It seemed here in Luna Nova, the whole world was at peace and asleep. A far cry from what awaited them tomorrow.

As the roomba took her outside to crisp night air, the New Moon tower stood ominously in the night sky. The green glow at the top making it like a magic light house in the dark. The interior of the tower seemed just as ominous. A single spiral staircase led all the way up the tower. It was all grey stone, not inviting in the least. There was no light save for the glow of the roomba upon which she rode. At the end of the journey waited a large vault door, its modern design looking out of place on the old walls of the tower.

The large steel door twisted and opened, revealing Croix's lab within. Countless monitors toiled away collecting data. Top of the line equipment hummed with life. Large glass tubes held what could only be described as colors. Toward the back of the room was what seemed to be a viewing area for a silo, oddly empty at the time. At the center of the room awaited Croix, a floating gurney beside her.

The Italian professor seemed distracted, eyes looking far off as she tapped absentmindedly while deep in thought. She was still processing everything she had just seen with Tsuichi. It was...alot to take in, but she would have to sort that out later. She had company. Croix looked and smiled as the rhoomba carried the SEES girl into the lab.

"So, what do you think? I would have loved to install a few Tesla coils for atmosphere, but research grants tend to look down on frivolous spending like that."

She gave a playful smile. Minako was a bit like Tsuichi. There was more to the girl than what met the eye. How fortunate that she would volunteer for this then. Croix gestured toward the gurney.

"Shall we?"

"Oh, they're doing great,^* I hope a rock falls on her so I can be rid of the torment of her smiling at me they're just a little bit worried because of the commotion. But that's fine. They'll be staying in the town proper until all this blows over!^* I hope the entire cave just collapses with me in it so I can be rid of people like her and you always conspiring to make my life worse Buuuuuut, there's one little correction I'd like to make, now that we have the time~"

"Kisume's not our daughter. She's Yamame's friend. Or, it'd be easier to say, Yamame's her only friend and not actually related in any way. She's just so hard to get rid of, they're attached at the hip!"

With that out of the way, Parsee dabbed a quill pen in some ink and brought out a...much beefier looking form. "For you, my buddies, I'll try to make the paperwork a little easier on you^* YOU FUCKING OWE ME. but I'd like to warn you...Ms. Komeiji's had a bit of a problem as of last night. I'm not sure if she's accepting guests; no one's gone to check on her beyond...visual confirmation. But you'll find her at the furthest end of the cavern!^* And as far away from me as possible. Is there anything else~?"

"If you want the truth," Ozen replied to Lucy dryly, "I feel absolutely no remorse for this. Even if it wasn't so blessedly infinite." Then, a familiar wry smile. "I'll eat everything down to the box it came in if you don't stop me. Letting me inside was a mistake." Oh ho ho, delightfully devilish, Ozen. Eat them out of house and home, and you'll become the villain you were meant to be. Ozen was gonna fuck that pantry up.

Before she could do that, there was some squeaking at her feet.

There was yet another little too-precocious-for-its-own-good urchin staring up at her face. Ozen unamusedly chewed through her bacon while looking down at her, thinking only briefly as to how to deal with this cretin.

"I am Ozen. How nice it is to meet you. Hey..."

She leans down...really, really down, until she feels she's uncomfortably close enough.

"You know why they keep you around here, right?"

Fairy Tail Guild Hall

"Jeez, edgy much?" Lucy grumbled at Ozen's words while eating her cereal. "It's just breakfast, god even in this bizaro planet we can't stop having random people argue over random things."

"Aye sir!" Happy saluted. For some reason.

"B-because...." Wendy looked a little nervous and gulped. "Because... we're a family!" She said that proudly to Ozen. "And a family sticks together." Then she took another sippy of her orange juice.

"That monster sounds like a truly terrible being, you can count on my aid with-" Erza said, before Mirajane cleared her throat.

"Um, actually Erza," Mira said. "I just get along so well already with them, and there's a good chance we have to deal with more demons, would it be alright if I go with them while you go look for new allies in other chunks instead?"

Erza paused for a moment, thinking with her hand on her chin before nodding.

"Very well. This job is uniquely suited for you, I have no doubt you'll be able to succeed and help out our new friends," Erza nodded. Then ate another bite of her strawberry cake.

Maeve and Ryuuou (and Staff) - Former Hell

"Ah, you would spare us the paperwork and bear that burden upon your own shoulders? I am truly glad to count you amongst my friends in this new world of ours, Dame Mizuhashi."

Maeve approached the desk and sat down a few inches away from the form, her sword only a hair's-breadth away from thwacking the tabletop as she leaned in to address Parsee more directly.

"And worry not, I understand that she may not be your true daughter, nor your wife's, but rather a foundling you've taken into your heart. I, too, am friends with Ceri, as I have not taken any seed nor grown it into beautiful child I myself have birthed, but she is nonetheless the daughter-of-my-heart, in much the way you have your own daughter-of-your-heart. But alas, we have business to attend to for now - if you wish to discuss this further, we can do so later. Lunch, mayhaps?"

She hopped off the desk and waved goodbye.

"Now then, we shall head to this far end of the cavern and see what we can make of it. Farewell!"

Sakura Dungeon Inn - Delfi's Safe Space

"Mmmmm, wooooo, grrrrr - whaaaaa?" The unnamed wolf girl shook herself awake and looked at the source of the noise, blinking a few times at Delfi. "Oh, I was taking a nap."

She yawned and stretched and licked her wrists and stretched some more.

"I forgot how much you humans have to sleep so after you went to sleep I went back and hung out at the inn for a while, then I took a stroll through the gardens and played with some bees, I took a look around the shop, then I had a very invigorating mud bath followed up by a soak in the hot springs, and by the time I had done all that it was still a couple hours before sunrise so I thought I'd come back here and wait for you to get up. And now we can have our grand adventure today!"

She plopped off of the bed and landed on her feet, then smacked her head.

"Oh! I almost forgot, I got you a preeeeesent!"

She headed over to the nightstand and reached around in it, then slowly started to pull out a smooth, elegant handle the color of pearl.

"It's a hairbrush! Thought you might need some help before you head out!"

Edited by nman on Jan 13th 2020 at 1:44:02 AM

Shadow - Common Room

"Nobody should have to sleep in a chair if they can't help it..."

The dog started to smile. "Interceptor here seems to like you. You're probably tough enough to handle the situation in your home by yourself, but, perhaps you'd appreciate a few extra pairs of hands?"