"Not so fine? Don't tell me Paper Stroke finally had a weird encounter with Paper Coke."

ZDR, Stanford's Lair

The cat rookie hesitated a bit upon encountering the other mutants, but relaxed when she saw that they weren't immediately hostile. She put away her Wispon, gave a friendly wave, and tapped her communicator to get someone more verbose on the line.

"Hello!" said Cassandra Beech over the comm. "I don't know if you can understand this, but we mean you no harm! We're going to take you somewhere safe where you can get help for the awful stuff Evil Stanford's done to you, and then you get to go home! "

Once she was done, the cat motioned for the mutants to follow and headed back to the teleporter room, ready to take them outside.

Once CAC removed Twilight's bracer, Sabre looked around at the others. "Looks like we're safe for now," he said. "Tricky, make sure there aren't any more surprises outside."

"Got it!" said Tricky, heading to the door.

The wolf knight then took out his communicator. "Sabre to squad: We just got out of an ambush," he said. "We've got some injured people and frightened civilians with us - no overlap between them, thankfully. Where should we take them?"

"Saheeli here. Don't worry; we have a way out for them. Meet up with us in the main hall."

"Got it. I'll be there shortly."

At this point, Tricky came back with a smile on his face. "Coast is clear!" he said. "No spikes, living books, or anything."

"Good to know," said Sabre. "We should get moving while we have the chance, then." He nodded to the others. "Whenever you're ready."

With that, he and Sabre went out to rejoin the others.

Saheeli moved her thopter to help shield Discord from Rouki. "We've won this one," she said. "No need to kick them when they're down."

Shepard sighed at Nick's comment. "Remind me not to use more Earth idioms around here, then."

"Duly noted, Commander!" said Cassandra's voice.

The Commander then nodded to James. "Then we'll keep an eye out for this 'Squishy'. Make sure the prisoners are safe. We'll see you on the other side."

"Right," said Rivet. "Let's see where the rest of the team got to."

Not long later, the team regrouped in the halls. Sabre and Tricky smiled at Krystal and Kyte as they approached from the rear entrace, the wolf rookie not far behind them. Meanwhile, Ashley gave an audible sigh of relief upon seeing Kaidan. "Looks like we're all in one piece, more or less," she said. "Better than Virmire, at least."

"You can say that again," said Kaidan. "Aside from a couple friendly-fire incidents, I think that went well."

Sabre's ears folded back. "Better than our group," he said. "That's all I'm going to say."

"I wish we could have been there to help," said Krystal. "At least we found a way to be useful in the meantime."

"Indeed." Shepard turned to the wolf rookie. "Rookie, can you fly that ship you found?"

The wolf gave a perky nod.

"Good. Then you and your cat friend can get the noncombatants out of here. Make sure that no one hurts them - not Raven Beak, not Evil Stanford, not the X, not anyone. Is that clear?"

The wolf rookie saluted and set off, beckoning for the prisoners and civilians to follow.

As he left, Shepard turned to the rest of the squad with a quizzical look. "Say, does anyone here actually know their names?" the Commander asked. "It's odd that everyone would just know them as 'Rookies'. Do they even have names?"

Saheeli shrugged. "You'd know better than I would, Commander," she replied. "Let's stay focused on the mission."

"Right." Shepard stepped up in front of the squad to address them. "Once that ship launches, there's no turning back," they said. "Anyone who wants out had better be on it, since we may not find another. From here on, it's a one-way trip. Are you still with me?"

The others responded with nods and salutes.

"I know my duty, Commander," said Kaidan. "I'm not backing down now."

Sabre clutched his sword grimly. "After seeing what Raven Beak's cronies can do... I'm not letting that happen to anyone else."

"I'm with you on that," said Tricky.

Ashley held up her sniper rifle. "I won't let Raven Beak get away," she said. "I've got a bullet with the bastard's name on it."

Rivet tapped her hand with her hammer. "I'll give Evil Stanford a lesson about respecting other dimensions," she said.

"I couldn't abandon Sauria to General Scales," said Krystal, "and I won't abandon this planet either."

"And I won't let you do it alone!" Kyte chimed in.

"A friend once said that a planeswalker can always run away," said Saheeli, "but that they can also choose to stay. For his memory, I choose to stay."

Shepard nodded. "All right. Be ready to move out."

Outside Lair, Not Long Later

Once they'd gathered who they could, the two rookies came along to help the escapees. At first, they just ushered the group along, making sure they didn't get lost on the surface. However, they soon ran into complications.

Upon seeing Blood Moon with bombs in hand, their eyes widened and they got into battle stances. The cat gestured to Blood Moon, then made a dropping motion, indicating that he should put down the explosives. The wolf, meanwhile, fired a warning shot over the Chozo's shoulder, close enough for him to feel the heat without getting burned.

"That will do, rookies," said Nine-Tailed Cat's voice over the comm. "I doubt he's a threat in his state."

The rookies stepped back, but kept their Wispons ready just in case, and turned to give a nod of greeting to Fire Eyes.

"Welcome back," Nine-Tailed Cat said. "I'm glad to see- Blast it, this would be a really good time to have a projection. Miss Beech, when the squads next report in, can you make sure to install hologram emitters on all their comm units?"

"You got it, boss!" came the fennec's reply.

"Right. As I was saying, Fire Eyes," Nine-Tailed Cat continued, "I'm glad to see you safe. I trust there's a good reason why your friend is walking freely and armed, rather than in a cell awaiting trial?"

Edited by NineTailedCat on Apr 27th 2024 at 3:32:23 AM

ZDR

Front Hall

(The mutants emit more static-y sounding gibberish, but they seem to recognize what Cassandra said and follow the Rookie and Ball out. The inkblot mutant emits some kind of signal as they go on, and a few other mutants join them until it seems that any and all mutants in the Lair are following them out.)

Ronny Gold's Castle

(The wave of water sends everyone flying.)

AAAAAACK!!! (Caedia screams again.) WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

Woohoo! (Friday cheers.)

Hey, this is better 'n a water park! (Ed says.)

(Haban-Arrow are being carried around by the water, but while Arrow is flailing around and shouting like everyone else is, Haban seems strangely silent.)

Shelter

(Cricket still hasn't returned to the room that Caedia and the others are still in (suggesting he got distracted by something else), meaning Verdi is still alone drawing. By this point he has started on drawing on everything in the room.)

   Ooh, this fun! This fun...    (Verdi mutters as he keeps going. At this point he's completely forgotten about his fear of getting in trouble.)

   Yeah, sure! I figure we'll be fine anyway!    (Chikao says.)    Are we ready, then?   

Hey, wait! (Jared pauses before sending them away as Melody comes in.)

Melody? What's wrong? (Jared asks.)

Oh, I-...I just... (Melody says.)

Wanna get out of here for a spell? (Ira says as he enters behind her.) Didn't think I knew you were that fly on the wall outside listening to them, did you?

O-Oh, you did? (Melody says. She looks embarrassed.) I'm just already sick of being cooped up in here.

I mean, I don't figure it'll hurt anything if you guys come, too. (Jared says.) Will it?

   I sure ain't gonna object to it. Especially if we run afoul of that Zin person your friends on the phone mentioned.    (Chikao says.)

Great! Let's go. (Ira says.)

I hope this works... (Jared says, preparing to send them off.)

Palm Key

(On Palm Key, Jonny Quest, Hadji, Race Bannon, and the little masked dog Bandit are out on the beach outside. Race is doing some stretching exercises and keeping an eye on the two boys as they play with Bandit near the water. Dr. Quest is not out here with them, suggesting that he's busy back inside the Quest compound.)

(Imagine their shock when, out of nowhere, a normal twenty-something dude appears alongside a hairy green goblin-like creature, a bipedal shark, and two bipedal dragons. Jonny and Hadji freeze in understandable shock while Bandit yelps and hides behind them.)

Mr. Race- (Jonny starts to say.)

Watch out, boys! Sir, stand back! I'll take care of them! (Race says to Jared, immediately grabbing a futuristic-looking laser pistol and aiming it toward the non-humans who just arrived.)

   DON'T SHOOT! WE AIN'T HERE TO STEAL ANYTHING!    (Chikao says.)

Yeah! They need you guys' help! (Jabberjaw adds.)

(Upon seeing (and hearing) Jabberjaw's voice, Race lowers his pistol.)

...So you're the infamous Jabberjaw, hmm? (Race says.) Dr. Quest became aware of your existence when we met that crew of mystery solvers. Seems there are a lot of these mystery-solving groups.

Phew... (Jabberjaw says. Then he looks mildly indignant.) ...Hey, wait, INfamous??

Yeah, I know them, too. (Jared says. He still finds it a bit surreal to talk about Mystery Inc. like he personally knows them.) We've got some people who need help repairing their ship and Jabberjaw and Velma suggested that Dr. Quest could help.

(Hadji speaks up.) Dr. Quest is very busy doing research into something that happened here today. It's been quite a day.

Tell us about it, kid! We've had a heck of a day, too. You don't even wanna know what happened to me! (Ira says.) So what happened with you?

Oh, we encountered some- (Jonny starts to say, only for Race to motion for him to stop.)

Stop, Jonny. I'm not sure we're at liberty to say, especially to people like you whom we hardly even know. (Race says.) If information about what happened got out, it might cause a panic.

Are you sure, Mr. Race? (Jonny asks.) If some of our friends trust them, maybe we can, too.

Would you at least be able to give us the means to repair our friends' ship? (Jared asks.) Without it, I don't think they can even get home.

(Race thinks a moment. Given everything he, Hadji, and the Quests have experienced, he's understandably wary of trusting strangers who just teleported in out of nowhere, and only one of whom is even human.)

...Alright, but we're going to be watching you all closely. I'm not afraid to protect Dr. Quest and the boys if I have to. (Race finally decides.) Follow me.

   You got it!    (Chikao says.)

(Race puts his shirt back on and starts leading everybody to the Quests' place. Jonny, Hadji, and Bandit head back with everyone as well.)

(Upon seeing Bandit, Melody immediately starts to coo over how cute he is.) Oh my goodness, I love his little mask! It makes him look so cute!

(Bandit still seems as wary of the group as Race is, and stares back at Melody with a frown and a quiet growl.)

Don't worry, Bandit, I don't think she wants to hurt you. (Jonny says.) You sure seem friendlier than any of the other dinosaurs we've ever met.

Dragon, actually, but yeah, Dad and I wouldn't hurt a fly. Don't you worry about a thing! (Melody says. She looks down at Bandit.) Especially you, you little cutie.

(Bandit huffs and looks away from Melody, though his expression suggests that he does appreciate the attention she is giving him just a little.)

Talking dragons and hairy goblin men...imagine that. (Hadji comments.)

(As they get closer, however, Jared sees something shocking: Parts of the trees and some of the buildings within the Quest compound seem to have been damaged and corrupted by VL energy. Some robots seem to be trying to clear it away without much success. Were some of OT!Stanford's Atomozoids or monsters here?)

New Pines

(Lex finally joins Mavis in the common area of their in room with a towel wrapped around his waist.)    How goes their progress?   

(Mavis sighs.) The Nidoqueen lost her head and the Nidoking fell out of a building. No podium for them.

   Ah well...    (Lex says.)

(Mavis is silent for a moment before turning to Lex.) You know, Lexie, I had just been thinking...

   O-Oh? What about?    (Lex asks. For some reason he suddenly feels nervous.)

With as nice and popular as New Pines seems to be, and the extra money I've made from my first restaurant, I wonder if it would be feasible to open Mavis Mountain 2 here. (Mavis says.) What do you think?

   Oh?    (Lex ponders.)    ...It would certainly be nice, but what would happen to your first restaurant?   

Aw, it won't go anywhere, silly. (Mavis laughs.) I could always find someone to run it while I'm over here. I do know people.

   Y-Yes, of course.    (Lex nods.)    ...If opening a restaurant here is what you wish, then I would be happy to help you in any way I can, as always.   

(Mavis giggles.) Thanks a lot, Lexie...but remember, no stealing anything again.

   Of course! I've learned my lesson there all too well.    (Lex nods.)

(Speaking of restaurants, Chili is still nervously finishing the salad they ordered.)

(As they do, a much younger Smeargle, Lucy's friend Patch, curiously walks up to Chili's table. The Chillet feels a bit uncomfortable.)

Hi. (Patch says.)

...Hello. (Chili says.)

You're sure a funny-lookin' Pokémon. (Patch says innocently.)

(Chili is very confused by the word Patch used.) ...What's a Pokémon?? (They ask.)

(Patch tilts his head in confusion, then laughs.) You're silly!

(Vivian comes back by the table and sees Patch there.) Patch! You're supposed to be in the playroom with Grandma! How'd you get out here?

Grandma fell asleep and I got bored. (Patch says. He points toward Chili.) He's funny, he says he doesn't know what a Pokémon is!

Don't be silly, Patch, of course they're a Pokémon. (Vivian says, scuttling Patch down a side hallway toward the back of the restaurant.)

(But Chili legitimately doesn't know what a Pokémon is.) Is that what I'm supposed to be? ...But no, no I'm not. (They mutter. The most they can recall is hearing humans refer to them and creatures like them as "Pals" and that's about it.)

(Vivian soon returns.) I'm so sorry about my kid brother. He didn't bother you, did he?

N-No, he didn't. I-...I'm fine. (Chili says.)

Alright. Sorry again. (Vivian says.) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your food. Are you ready to pay?

(As Chili tries to figure out how to pay for their food, Madeline enters their section of the restaurant from the front with Jan, Vinci, and the Charizard and Milotic Paintmons Rembrandt and Mona in tow.)

We'll actually be able to find stuff we can eat, right? (Rembrandt asks.)

   Sure we will! I think.    (Jan says.)    Vinci?   

   If all else fails, I can always paint some food for you, my friends.    (The Runerigus chuckles.)

Okay, cool. (Mona says.)

(Chili scarcely notices the Pokémon made out of living paint, though, or even the paint-splattered Vinci. They just see Jan. As Jan's group passes Chili's table, Jan sees Chili and politely nods and smiles at them.)    How's it going, huh?    (The Salazzle says without a hint of malice in her voice.)

(The next few moments are chaos. Chili suddenly starts screaming and overturns their table as they flee out of the restaurant.) NONONONNONONOOOOO!!!! (They're in such a hurry they accidentally bump Rembrandt and cause him to splatter across a table.)

HEY!! (Rembrandt exclaims as he starts to reform.)

Come back! You haven't paid yet! (Vivian shouts, but her shouting falls on deaf ears.)

(Poor Jan is genuinely confused.)    What did I do? All I did was just say hi to them.    (She says.)

   How puzzling...    (Vinci agrees.)

The Arena

While Theon posts a picture of the Bewilderbeast still struggling with its laundry, Helioptilemon gets a free box of recycled Red Death memes, with neither dragon aware of what those two tributes are doing.

The next day, Captain Crow confronts the Red Death and challenges it to a dance fight for some berries. The dragon snarls at him and demands live dragons for food, but it's been starving, so it begrudgingly accepts the challenge and stomps around the Arena. Luckily, Captain Crow doesn't get squashed beneath its claws, but the Red Death wins the contest and hoards all the berry bushes for itself. Speaking of hunger, the Bewilderbeast can't find any fish, so instead, it "rides" a horse by crushing it under its claws and eats it out of desperation.

Suddenly, the tributes find themselves in a massive tower that pierces through the heavens. The Bewilderbeast escapes using its angelic powers while the Red Death teams up with the Captain to slay Blaze the Mercat, who immediately sheds her newfound immortality.

The Science Center, Safety Shelter

Sol continues watching the Games, and Bubble makes a presentation for alt!Anemone (and several others) after he left her behind in a game of hide n' seek. They don't know if the slideshow is about her or not, so instead, Sol remarks, "It's nice to see Nema tend to her inner child after the military was dismantled."

"But don't you need an army to protect your colony?" asks Juan.

"There are some countries that are doing well without them!" says 6k1.

"And that's what we hope for Vertumna!" Sol continues. "We humans signed a pact with the locals called the Gardeners to take care of each other as long as we take care of their home, and if we truly want peace, we must stop fighting!"

"Then hopefully, galactic conquerors like Raven Beak don't come for you," says Juan.

"But what if they do?!" asks Nomi.

"Don't worry about that giant evil bird man at the very least," says 6k1. "Our nominator friends and their allies are trying to stop his nefarious plans as we speak!"

"Oh, goody!"

"Well, good luck to them!" says Rex.

"And I'm sure your new governor would know what to do if other villains come your way!" 6k1 tells the trio.

OK, I shall wish you the most optimal luck, says Ally as she sees Jared's group off.

She then returns to Nozomi to tell her that they just left for Palm Key to look for the Multidimension Drive and some people who can repair their ship.

"Good luck to them!" says Mimi while Dupe chirps in agreement.

Underground Bunker

"Who's Paper Coke?" asks Bezier.

"My stick figure counterpart from Twinkle Sprinkle's Equestria who speaks like a robot," says Power. "One April Fool's, she just randomly showed up here and never came back."

"Unless you count all the times she appeared in certain MGTs such as EVERYTHING," says Paper.

"If that's the case, then I'm sure your stick figure version is somewhere in that Equestria!" Power playfully prods Bezier.

"But what would his name be, Buzzy Swerve?!"

Moon bursts out laughing, Star rolls her eyes and facehoofs, not wanting to hear about this strange pony again, while the grownups just give each other confused looks. While they know that there are several AU Equestrias out there, this one is the strangest they've heard of.

"Anyway," Paper continues, "sorry for not calling you earlier, Power. Sometime after our last student ever, Durge... we're considering moving out of the Arena tomorrow because this crisis has made it difficult for us to get new enrollees."

Stacy: Yup. That's right. (Sees the Bewilderbeast killing and eating a horse) Urgh...

"Now the Games are being affected by that Dollar Store Darth Vader-lookin' birdbrain? Like folks needed another reason for this overly long crisis to end."

Shelter

Off on another adventure, then? I wish them the best! (PV says.) If only I could join them...

Palm Key

(As more areas affected by VL energy become visible to the group Jared hears Jabberjaw whisper to him.) Gee, this is lookin' awful familiar, ain't it?

Yeah, they're dealing with the same thing! (Jared says. He's a bit nervous, but he works up the gumption to speak to Race Bannon.)

Mr....uh, Race? We've been dealing with this exact same thing. (Jared says.)

(Race turns to Jared in surprise.) You have?

Yeah, were you dealing with crazy robots and monsters? And the robots were sucking things into themselves? (Jared asks.)

(Race gapes.)

So this threat isn't isolated to our world, then? (Hadji asks.)

   Nope! We've been dealin' with this pretty much everywhere! My world, Jabber's world...    (Chikao says.)

Gosh! It's happening all over the place! (Jonny says in shock.)

(Bandit whines fearfully and tucks his face into Jonny's arm.)

Well, this certainly explains a lot. I'm sure Benton would be glad to know about this. (Race says.) ...And I use the term "glad" loosely. A crisis affecting multiple parallel universes like this is hardly something to be glad about.

Maybe unless you're Dr. Zin! (Jonny remarks.) I bet he's mad he didn't come up with this in the first place!

   Hope this Zin fella doesn't get any ideas from this. He sounds like bad news!    (Chikao says.)

Glad you all are alright. Sounds like you all got lucky that none of you were caught by the robots. (Ira says.) Take it from me, you do NOT want to have that happen to you. Lucky for me, my sweet little Melody and her friend Jared there helped rescue me.

(Melody literally turns pink with embarrassment about Ira talking about her like that in front of these strangers.) Daaaaad! (She whines.)

(Jonny laughs.)

Since we're all on the same page, I feel less nervous about allowing you in the compound. (Race says.) Pardon me for being cautious. We have a lot of enemies, like Dr. Zin as Jonny mentioned. Now come on, we're almost there.

(Race clears everyone for entrance to the fancy-looking laboratory and leads them all inside.)

Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 1st 2024 at 3:15:15 AM

Hotel Room, 5th Floor

Nomi flung the door open and entered the room. “Whew! It was nice pacing the hallway! Luckily no one seemed to care ‘bout it! What happened while I was gone?” Swain turned to Nomi, as if he hadn’t even noticed their absence. “Well, the Shuriman fell to his death, and then some yordle-looking thing killed your friend and began eating a cake that resembled her corpse.” Swain was quite nonchalant about all of it, considering he had seen and caused more death than Nomi had experienced in their life. Nomi, on the other hand, didn’t take the news of her friend dying quite well, alternate timeline or no. “What?! I mean, I’m happy that it wasn’t my Nemmie that died out there, but it’s still a version of her! Was it violent? Please tell me it wasn’t violent!” Nomi began flapping their arms and hyperventilating, and Swain, a bit shocked at Nomi’s outburst, placed his hand on their shoulder in an attempt to comfort them, then switched hands when he realized that it was the demon hand. “Yes, well, my condolences for your not-friend dying. I’m sure that she is in a better place. Hopefully she went down with a fight.” Nomi looked up at him with an expression that told him that maybe that wasn’t the right thing to say. “I mean to say that hopefully, she has passed on with the respect and dignity she surely deserves.” They calmed down a little bit and sat down on their bed. “Um… thanks for that. I know that you don’t comfort people for a living, so I appreciate it.” Swain dusted his overcoat and looked at them. “Don’t mention it. I mean it.”

Edited by J99908 on Apr 29th 2024 at 8:38:33 AM

Science Shelter

"Oh, good luck for them!" said Nozomi.

"Isn't that the flying girl we met earlier?" asked Keitaro, referring to Ribbon.

"Hi again." said Ribbon.

"What happened to the little pink creature from earlier?"

"You mean Kirby?" said Ribbon. "He's off for an adventure to hopefully stop all this."

"So now we just wait here."

"Ooh, how about we pass the time?" asked Adeleine. "We could draw something!"

"Good. Anyone else have other ideas?"

Looniversity Room

After CAC pulls of Twilight's bracer, Kirby then approaches Twilight.

"Be careful, Kirby." said Bandana Dee.

Edited by Oggy123 on Apr 29th 2024 at 12:17:32 AM

Dark Stanford's lair

Lucian didn't answer, at first, burying his face into Aaron's chest and letting Oscar wrap a leg around his shoulder.

"Oh Oscar, that wasn't your fault... I understand this is a lot to endure for you two." Aaron reassured Oscar, rubbing his back.

"Besides... Looks like CAC did it, after all. You just came out a little early, but that's okay." Alex said, attempting to cheer the Thievul up.

"That wasn't your fault either Spike. Dark Stanford and Raven Beak are to blame." Tokage said to the little dragon too before sighing.

"...And July is right. We're all stressed out. We are so close and yet..."

"Hey, you know what we guys need? Hug time. It isn't much, but if that can help. And I'm including you, no "buts"." Alex said, suddenly grabbing the crying Spike with him before joining Aaron and June's hug. Tokage smiled and gestured at August and July to join them.

"Oh guys... Never change." Aaron chuckled.

The Pokémon's group hug seemed to make Lucian feel better. He was so glad to have Aaron and his team, and June and her sisters around.

"A-Aaron..." he managed to say. Aaron slowly nodded at his brother.

"I-I wanna go home... I-I want things to be like before. I can't take it anymore... I don't think I can..." the Lycanroc silently cried.

"Oh Lucian... I understand. But it'll be over soon. We'll get Squishy back. We'll beat Dark Stanford. And then we'll be going home." he promised.

Aaron gently kissed Lucian on the forehead as it was time to go, carrying the Lycanroc once the hug was over.

"We need to move out before reinforcements could show up... And Alex, you're seeing a medic, I don't want to hear it."

"Yeah, yeah..." Alex said.

Freyja turned toward Knox, surprised to see him there.

   "Knox... Good to see you're still kicking."    she said. The Blaziken lowered her gaze afterward upon seeing how nervous he was. She deduced he likely knew about Joaquin by now.

   "...I guess so. Still, I owe you for saving my ass. That blasted monster would have killed us if you hadn't done your thing at the right time."    Freyja admitted, folding her arms.

Thankfully, Aaron's group eventually emerged from their room, moving out into the hallway.

   "Well, well, well, look who it is!!"    Scipion exclaimed, eyeing his nemesis.

"Not now, Scipion..." Aaron growled back. Scipion would have barked back, if he didn't see that he was carrying a miserable Lucian. The Zoroark also noticed that the others didn't look well because of what happened to CAC.

"Thank goodness... I was about to kick every single damn door in the hallway to find you." Arthur sighed in relief before frowning.

"Got into trouble, did you? What happened?"

"Yeah... But we're making the best of it. We'll tell you more about it later. We just need someone to heal Alex, please. Aaron reassured with a small smile before looking at Arthur, concerned.

"Worried about my teammates are you? They're fine. They're outside with the others." Arthur said before explaining what happened so far.

"I was going to go outside once you would be here, check on my team... And see who would be leaving early. We can't let the civilians out of their own."

   "Well, obviously I'm staying. What kind of stupid question is that? Right Onox?"    Scipion cackled, with Onox immediately nodding at his boss. Freyja didn't answer, but it was clear she was staying.

"I see... Aaron?" Tokage said, turning toward his leader.

"I would be game. I mean, heck, Lapis even got us some elemental gems!" Alex said. But Aaron seemed hesitant.

"I... don't know yet. I need to think about it. Let's go outside with Arthur first. We'll decide there, just like with his team." he suggested, looking worryingly at Lucian and Oscar.

"But before that... Commander Shepard, could you have NTC deliver the bracers you copied from Quiet Robe into June's homeworld? I just... don't want it to suffer the same fate as mine. I remember there's also a third world with a Voidlands Metroid stuck on it." the Lucario asked. He would leave with his team and Arthur once Shepard would answer.

   "Good idea. I guess he can contact my base to see how things will go. I had to move my HGS nominator's stuff out since my world got blown up. The thing is... Morgan is running things in my absence. Good luck with him."    Scipion teased.

Hanubia

Blood Moon didn't react to the warning shot over his shoulder, nor did he let go of the bombs.

   "Who... is it...?"    Blood Moon asked, not recognizing the voice coming from the rookies's comm.

"That is the nominator Nine-Tailed Cat. I am glad to see... to hear you too." Fire Eyes explained with a small chuckle, nodding politely at the rookies's direction.

   "Right. The one behind those clones. You can tell him to start creating a new batch because the models inside will likely need to be replaced. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't worked on supplanting your team with better versions already."    Blood Moon spitefully said to the rookies in answer to NTC's question, earning a warning glare from the other Chozo.

"Hey. We asked you a question. What are you doing here?? Fire Eyes, why is he free?" Nick interrupted, folding his arms.

"And what are these bombs for? Do your foul mind intend on using these on us?" James asked with the Gems's provocations.

"James! Girls!! We don't want to start a fight here!" Nick called out. And indeed, Blood Moon smiled briefly at the idea.

   "Now that you mention it... I mean, even in this state, I can throw them at you. And you little gem... Peridot, isn't it? You know how these beauties work... Solid Rock was very good with those. You know, before you killed him."    he hissed.

"Blood Moon, don't answer to their provocations too! We don't have time for this, they could notice us at any moment!!" Fire Eyes firmly said, slamming his spear on the ground. Blood Moon still stared hatefully at the group... but didn't do anything else. He even broke eye contact eventually, realizing his folly.

   "You're right, this is getting nowhere... It might come as a surprise to you, but the thought hasn't crossed my mind, nor do I intend to do that. I... or rather, we are both using Power Bombs on every ship and teleporter on this planet. In fact, we had some mind blowing up that one before you showed up."   

"WHAT IN TARNATION DID YOU SAY???" James outright exploded.

"You too Fire Eyes?? Are you mad?? Why would you do that? Do you want our deaths??" Nick demanded. Fire Eyes would have answered, but Blood Moon beat him to the punch.

   "The main reason should be obvious. To prevent the X from using it to leave ZDR before it explodes, of course. Why else? You realize a ship like that in the open is a very easy prey for them. You don't know how many ships we found out there, with the parasites that close to finding out about them."    Blood Moon nonchalantly said.

"B... Blow up the planet??" James asked with a gulp. Both Fire Eyes and Blood Moon eyed him.

"Knox must have left that part out." Fire Eyes sighed.

   "Of course he did."    Blood Moon angrilly snarled.

Fire Eyes then turned toward the group to summarize the situation. The X, once freed from Elun, have already taken over the entirety of ZDR, devouring everything they came across, Mawkin included. There were now hundreds of them, and their number kept increasing. Blood Moon, thanks to his mutation, got close enough without alarming the parasites to spot infected species from the planet's depths to confirm this. Now, the X were looking for a way to escape ZDR, with the main bulk of the swarm trying to break into the Mawkin's main shipyard, guarded by Raven Beak's giant Metroids. Unable to cleanse his homeworld from so many of these monsters, Fire Eyes hoped to find ZDR's self-destruct system to get rid of the X-infected planet. Having been unable to find it, he theorized it may be linked with Raven Beak himself.

The main problem was that should Raven Beak die, his Metroids would die with him. And the massive swarm of X would be able to enter the shipyard with no one to oppose them by the time the heroes would reach them. When they would, Fire Eyes was prioritizing blowing up every ship of the shipyards, even if it meant for the heroes to cut their way out and stay on the planet, blowing up with it.

"Oh... I think I'm starting to understand. But... That's radical."

"Not just that, this is your planet. Your home. Surely there must be another way-" James added before realizing the risks.

"But that would mean... No!! Surely we can reach a ship before those parasites when Raven Beak and Dark Stanford are defeated?"

"I wish I could say otherwise, but it's very hard for us to judge how things will go. We don't know how long the Metroids will last without Raven Beak, nor how long the X will take to seize the vessels. What I am telling you is to prepare yourselves for the eventuality that we perish along this planet. If you are staying here... You may not be able to return. At all. You will want your allies inside to know of the risks. If you are splitting up, you must do so, wisely" Fire Eyes sighed.

   "I and Fire Eyes made our choices. Best that we both die here than risk the X leaving. Believe me, they won't make the same mistakes I did when I ambushed you."    Blood Moon added. He then crawled toward the group until he was inches away from them, prompting both James and Nick to go back into fighting stances.

   "I still blame you for what happened. Your little manipulations with my tribe resulted in this. But... Both Knox and Fire Eyes harassed me about how you didn't want this for us, that this wasn't your fault, at least not directly. And the coyote told me... things... I still hate you. And the X part of me still wants to eat you, so badly... But right now, I'm doing my best to put that aside... for now..."    he admitted, lowering his gaze, thinking about the conversation they had in his head after his defeat. He then tossed the Power Bombs to Fire Eyes.

   "You need to evacuate these people... I suppose I can work with that, but only as long as you do your job and destroy Raven Beak. Don't let my tribe and my squadmates's deaths be for naught. The parasites have not noticed that ship yet, so it's better than nothing if we hurry. It's not the ideal model you have chosen, sadly, so don't expect a calm joyride out of ZDR... But you will have to deal with it."    he said before raising an arm

   "Have you decided who will be the pilots? Everything will rest on their shoulders. There are just some things I want to warn them about before you are off."   

In the meantime, Arthur and the others appeared. Likewise, Nick gestured at them not to get close before explaining everything to the newcomers.

Notably, Aaron was quick to tighten his grip on Lucian, not wanting him to look at Blood Moon.

Edited by Scipion3 on Apr 29th 2024 at 7:50:27 PM

The Arena

That night, the Red Death looks at its claws to check that they're still there after its butt turned invisible, and it grunts in relief at them still being there. The Bewilderbeast, on the other hand, taps into its angelic powers and shoots lightning out of its claws.

The next day, the Red Death attends the Feast and sniffs around for some good meat, but leaves in disgust upon finding nothing there, not even bothering to eat the Bewilderbeast's packets of szechuan sauce. However, the angelic dragon's new powers weren't enough to save it, for Cave Johnson slays it and three others with huge, exploding spirit blades.

Meanwhile, the Red Death snarls at Monty Tank to remind him to drink water from the nearby lake. It then grunts in disappointment at Helioptilemon making Johnson beat up grass. Finally, it eats all the flowers in the Arena out of desperation, and the Peacekeepers shoot it down for it.

Looniversity Room

Ugo: .....

Ugo: Like Steven said, there's no time to explain.

(Given Ugo's form is Mario-based and Mario and Luigi are strong enough to break bricks with their fists, he effortlessly lifts Twilight over his shoulder, and carries her outside, Dick and Elfin following suit)

(Ugo, Dick, and Elfin were surprised at seeing Blood Moon)

Ugo: Uh-oh, not this guy again. (Puts Twilight down, and gets in front of her, and enters a defensive stance)

Dick: By the way, why the serious looks on everyone's faces? Did we miss anything?

Rushing Beat universe

(Norton and M-Frame data clone Garuda and Shirase. Given their dangerous natures, they don't contact the real deals. Neither do they know if Hokuto/Shirase's Split-Personality Takeover is permanent or not)

Edited by CosmosAndChaos on Apr 29th 2024 at 10:34:28 AM

Shelter

I certainly won't stop you. (PV laughs.)

ZDR

Looniversity Room/Hallway

Yeah, mates, bring it on in! (August says, joining the hug with the others.)

(Oscar does find that the group hug helps as well.)

Let's hurry up and get back to the others. (July agrees.)

(Everyone starts to move out, Oscar staying very close to Lucian (and Aaron and June) as they go.)

   I didn't even know it would work, but I'm sure as hell glad it did.    (Knox says, looking at the Chozo-Alebrije armor he's still wearing. He doesn't even want to think about what would have happened if he had failed to save everyone from Blood Moon.)

(Before he can say anything else, Aaron and the others finally return. It's quickly apparent that something happened in there going by the expressions on everyone's faces.)

   I hope I have healing venom left...    (Veena says, a bit worried that she might run out again before this is all over. She goes over to use it on Alex. Fortunately, there's enough to get him feeling much better.)

(June looks a bit uneasy as well.) Yeah, we need a minute after all that. (She agrees.)

That is quite alright. (Cleo nods.) You all seem more distressed than the rest of us were after we escaped the rooms we were in.

Tell me about it... (July says wearily.)

(They take the telepad outside once they have their answer.)

   We definitely gotta make sure we can get the Hypnos Stone outta here for sure.    (Knox says.)    ...Even if we don't make it off.   

   Knox, don't speak like that, we'll still have a chance to escape. Won't we?    (Greta says.)

(There's discussion over who will be staying and who will be going.)

   I'm stayin'.    (Knox says without missing a beat.)    I'm ready to kick Raven Butt's tail in and get the Hypnos Stone back. Even if we don't make it off this planet, we gotta at least make sure it does.   

   Knox, don't say things like that.    (Greta says.)    We'll have the chance to escape...won't we?   

(Knox is hesitant to speak up again.)

   Hey, is there something you know that we don't?    (Wanda asks.)

   ...They're gonna blow up the planet to make sure the X don't get off. If we stop Raven Beak, the Metroids ain't gonna be able to stop the X, and you KNOW they're gonna try to leave this place.    (Knox explains.)    So blowin' the entire planet up is the best option for makin' sure the X ain't any trouble, whether we get off of it or not.   

(Veena is shocked.)    ...Knox, why didn't you tell us this already?   

(Knox grunts.)    ...I fretted that yall would turn into Nightmares if I told you, alright?    (He says.)    I saw what Sonny, Colby, and Sticky are like right now and I didn't want yall to go through the same thing! I don't wanna lose you all. I've come too close to that happenin' too many times!   

(Veena, Greta, and Zuma remain unchanged, though.)

   Knox, I wish that you had told us this already. I think we are brave enough to take such news.    (Zuma says, sounding disappointed in Knox.)    ...But don't be discouraged, everyone, we must prepare to find a way to escape if there is one available. If not...then Knox is right. We should at least make sure there is a way to get the Hypnos Stone off the planet. I don't know what would happen if it were to be destroyed, but I don't think I want to find out either.   

Outside the Lair

(Needless to say, everyone already outside is shocked to hear that they plan to blow up ZDR, especially since Knox forgot to tell them this after he went inside.)

My goodness, Knox must have forgotten to mention that to us. (Sidon says.)

Maybe he just didn't want us to panic. (Tenn suggests.) But yeah, we've gotta make sure everyone inside knows if he hasn't told them already.

My good (good?) sir, it would be in your best interest if you kept yourself under control! (Henry warns Blood Moon.)

Henry is right, we do not want to risk anyone starting another fight...from either side. (Sidon says. He similarly gives a disapproving look when Blood Moon starts bullying the Rookies.) And please cease this unnecessary taunting, Blood Moon. Bullying or trying to demoralize us like you just did to them will not help a thing. Like it or not, you must cooperate with everyone instead of trying to tear them down.

(As Aaron and the others get outside, July's fur stands up on end upon seeing Blood Moon and she cringes in a mix of disgust and horror. Oscar similarly tries to keep Lucian from seeing Blood Moon.)

(June gets very worried when she learns what's at stake.) ...Guys! (She gasps, looking toward the others.)

(Reba and Les look the way they came in worry, too, knowing Wanda is still there.) ...Les, sugar, should we be worried about Wanda?

Perhaps...but if she found a way to live on her own without us for six years, then perhaps she can find a way here, too. (Les says.)

I hope you're right, plumcakes...I hope you're right... (Reba says.)

Palm Key

(Much to Jared's shock, there are four canisters all one of OT!Stanford's mutants each the moment they reach Dr. Benton's work area. One that just looks like a giant sentient scribble, one that looks like a pulsating mass of flashing fish faces, another that looks like a multicolored winged lava person, and finally one that looks like a spectral wolf creature.)

(A bearded man whom Jared can only assume is Dr. Quest is busy at a desk busy typing away at a computer. What looks like a burly silver-haired man is looking on behind him.)

He's still trying to save these creatures, it seems. (Race says thoughtfully.) I had told him that it was likely a lost cause trying to save them.

Well, Dad's not one to give up easily. (Jonny says.)

I wonder what he has been up to. (Hadji says.)

Who's that guy with him? (Melody asks.)

That's the man whom the monsters seemed to be after. (Race says.) They seemed set on capturing him when they were attacking.

(The group approaches Dr. Quest and the strange man. They turn to look.)

(Jared is shocked. The other man looks very much like a bear. A polar bear. Right away, Jared realizes that this humanoid bear-man must be Eye-Sicle's counterpart in this universe.)

Mr. Bannon, who are these people and why have you brought them in here? (Dr. Quest asks, startled upon seeing Jared and the others.)

We're here 'cause we know what you're dealing with and might could help you! (Ira says.) We went through the same thing!

That would have been nice to know this morning when those creatures attacked the compound and started after me! (The Eye-Sicle-like man says.)

So this is hardly an isolated incident? (Dr. Quest asks. Once the initial shock has worn off, he doesn't seem too fazed by the respective appearances of the non-humans in the group. Probably a testament to all of the crazy things he, Jonny, and the others have seen already.) This is highly concerning. Do you know the origins of these mutated individuals and the robots that came with them?

Yes sir, we do. (Jared says.) A bunch of our friends are in the process of dealing with them right now, even. Including my sister.

Oh, thank goodness someone is doing something about this. (Dr. Quest says.) If I had known earlier, I might have even tried to find some way for us to help your friends as well.

   Don't worry about it, Doc, we've got people from somethin' like ten different universes on it.    (Chikao says.)    I think they've got this.   

(Hadji looks toward the captured mutants.) What are you doing now, Father? I can tell from here that the creatures seem distressed, not angry.

Right you are, Hadji. I've deduced that these creatures are people mutated by an energy beyond anything that could be conceivably found in our world. (Dr. Quest says.) I can only conclude that this energy comes from another world entirely.

And you'd be right! (Ira says.)

I figured as much. (Dr. Quest says.) I'm in the process of creating a device that could, hopefully, restore these individuals to normal.

You're kidding! (Jared says.) We have a whole bunch of mutated people we're trying to get back to normal, too.

Then for their sake, I hope this works. (Dr. Quest says.)

Be careful, Doctor. (Race says as Dr. Quest starts adjust controls on the computer he's using.)

(Setting things up so that his device will be focused on the fish head mutant, Dr. Quest pushes the Return key and the capsule starts to glow brightly. Everyone waits with baited breath to see if the experiment worked.)

(The glow fades away, revealing a large, unconscious fishman inside the canister.)

Incredible! (Race says.) But it seems that it only worked part-way, doctor. This man still has the features of a fish.

Or maybe that's just how he's s'sposed to look? (Jabberjaw asks.)

The shark is right. This creature is totally free of that mysterious, unstable energy, so I have no reason not to believe that this is indeed its true appearance. (Dr. Quest says.)

Gosh, he must be from another universe like all of you! (Jonny says, looking at the others.)

(The fishman wakes up, looks around, and yelps in fright.) GYAHH! Dr. Nadelstein got us! (He screams. Then he sees the magma creature directly beside him.) Oh no, he's already experimented on Elisa! I'm next!!

Doctor, the creature is intelligent! (Race says.)

Hey, hey, HEY!! (Ira calls.) Relax, friend, we just cured you of what's affecting the other three around you.

Y-...You did? (The creature asks.)

Yeah! (Melody says.) How do you feel?

Terrified...but...fine? (He says.) JUST LET ME OUT OF HERE!

Can we trust this creature, Doctor? (Race asks Dr. Quest.)

I think he is speaking the truth. (Hadji says.)

What do you think, Bandit? (Jonny asks Bandit.)

(Bandit looks at the creature and tilts his head in confusion.)

Bandit doesn't seem afraid of him. (Jonny says.)

Wait! I got it! (Melody says. She does a psychokinetic scan of the fish guy. He yelps and tries to cover his head.)

...Yeah, he's not gonna hurt anybody. He really is just scared. Especially of you human types. (Melody reports afterward.) His name's Jacoby and he just wants to find his friend and go home.

That is impressive! (Hadji says.) I should learn to be able to do a thing like that.

Hey, I could make a medallion for you like I did for Jared! (Melody says.)

(Jared looks down at the Conan Charm he is still wearing. He's still not very sure about the fact that he has one now.)

If you say so... (Dr. Quest says. He enters some commands on his computer, and the glass capsule opens. The creature named Jacoby stumbles out and looks up at everyone.)

Wait..y-you're a human...and you...helped me? (Jacoby asks Dr. Quest.)

I'll admit that I wasn't aware that you yourself weren't human. (Dr. Quest says.) But no matter. I am glad the experiment was a success and you are yourself again.

(Jacoby just stands there for a moment before rushing up to Dr. Quest (prompting Race to get on guard) and taking the professor's hand in his two clammy webbed hands.) Th-...Th-Thank you... (He almost sounds like he's going to cry.)

He really must not be used to humans helping him. (Jonny comments.)

(Chikao beams.)    Great machine you got here, Quest! With it, we could help all the people who got transmogrified by that Evil Stanford guy!   

Uh huh! 'Specially now that we know it works! (Jabberjaw says.)

ZDR, Hanubia

Nine-Tailed Cat went silent for a moment after Blood Moon made his threat. Then the rookies' communicators pinged, and they raised their weapons once more, the cat preparing a shot.

"Don't try to intimidate us, Blood Moon," said Nine-Tailed Cat. "You are in no position to do so. As you may recall, the Void Wispon's gravitational field is more than sufficient for catching a thrown bomb along with you and drawing both out to a safe distance, at which point your mass would be violently redistributed over the immediate vicinity. I suggest you show respect."

The two kept a careful eye on Blood Moon, ready to react if he made any sudden moves, while Nine-Tailed Cat listened to Fire Eyes explain.

"So, containment by any means necessary," he said. "I can see the logic. If these parasites are truly as dangerous as you say, then anything that couldn't escape would be dead anyway. A planet-wide self-destruct, though... Your people definitely aren't short on doomsday devices."

"And what contingency plans would you have prepared, Nine-Tailed Cat?" Majel chimed in.

The line went silent for a moment. "Hard to say," Nine-Tailed Cat said finally. "My Plan A would simply be to ensure the X don't progress that far in the first place. Perhaps not infecting my top lieutenant while simultaneously using them as a kill switch for the entire population would be a good start. But drastic times call for drastic measures, I suppose. I'll make sure the team is informed, and prepare what contingencies I can to help them get out alive."

Then Blood Moon went so far as to blame the group.

"'Little manipulations', Blood Moon?" said Nine-Tailed Cat. "You should look in a mirror. You throw blame at the ones here to stop this madness as if you weren't downright complicit in it." His voice was full of vitriol. "You saw everything Raven Beak did, to your own people and everyone else, and you just smiled and nodded. You had to know this would happen, yet you did nothing to stop it - in fact, you helped it along when you could. Was it ego, not wanting to admit that you'd gone so wrong? Or were you just trying to save your own hide?"

He took a moment to compose himself before continuing.

"I do regret the loss of your tribe," he said. "My team did what they could to warn them, to give them a chance to save themselves. Unfortunately, their fate had been sealed before we even made planetfall. Win or lose, they would have outlived their usefulness to Raven Beak eventually, just as Fire Eyes and Quiet Robe did. The best we can do is make their sacrifice matter."

"And we will, boss!" said Cassandra Beech. "We've got Raven Beak's back to the wall! Nowhere to run, his best resources spent, and an elite strike force bearing down on him!"

"Indeed," Nine-Tailed Cat said. "I have the utmost confidence in my people. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of you, Blood Moon." His tone hardened. "You serve as Raven Beak's right hand through all his war crimes, you show nothing but antagonism towards me and my allies, yet now you expect us to put our trust in you with just Fire Eyes' good word and a vague offer to help with something which we may well already have in hand? You'll need to do a lot better than that."

At the mention of the pilot, the wolf gave a slow nod, never taking his eyes off Blood Moon.

ZDR, Stanford's Lair

The Red Squad gave salutes as Aaron's group joined them. Shepard took a moment to check the team's medi-gel supplies, but saw that Veena had Alex's injuries in hand. The Commander then gave a nod to Aaron.

"Good thinking," Shepard said. "Lab, have you sent the bracers to other worlds targeted by the Voidland Metroids?"

"On it!" came Cassandra Beech's reply. "We just need to get the dimensional coordinates, and Azure and Spring Green Squads will be on their way!"

Shepard said nothing, but had to stifle a chuckle at the mention of "azure".

Then Knox gave the bad news.

"Well, that settles it," said Ashley. "We all knew this could be a suicide mission."

"But it won't matter if the stone breaks and we doom reality anyway," said Sabre grimly. "We'll just be dying for nothing."

"Luckily, important cosmic keystones tend to be durable," Nought said over the comms. "Worlds where they're not tend not to last long. However, I'd advise against putting it to the test."

"Best to give it to someone mobile, then," said Shepard. "We'll do our best to help them get away."

"Yes, Commander," said Krystal, "but we'd need another ship. Where are we to find one?"

"I am sending out a call for assistance," said Majel. "Unfortunately, given the obscure location of ^{the planet you're on}ZDR, their arrival is uncertain." After a moment, she added, "In addition, ^{my creator}Nine-Tailed Cat has authorised the use of full destructive force. Collateral damage is no longer a risk."

Kaidan raised an eyebrow. "'Full destructive force'? I thought the rocket launchers and particle colliders already covered that," he said, looking pointedly at Rivet.

"You never know," replied Rivet. "There's always a bigger gun out there." She then turned back to the matter at hand. "Anyway, we'll figure something out. Maybe Raven Beak or Stanford has a secret escape shuttle somewhere?"

Ugo: I don't know how, but we need to stop those two madmen. I don't wanna die here!

(Dick and Elfin are too shocked at the possibility of being vaporized with ZDR to say anything)

The Science Center, Safety Shelter

Once the season ends, Nomi tries adding Tang to the group video call, while Rua approaches 6k1 with the tribute report. The DM's Bewilderbeast didn't faint from its VR session, and it has been transferred to a safe haven in Berk and is under observation to see if its angelic and lightning powers from the Arena still persist.

"Hopefully not," says 6k1, "'cuz that dragon is way too powerful as it is!"

"Yeah..." says Juan.

As usual, Rua asks who 6k1 will nominate next.

"Terk and Tantor," she says. "Tell me if either of them use VR because if Kala tested it, then Terk might be interested, too!"

"Okay."

After Rua leaves, 6k1 and Juan focus on the video call, and the split screen adjusts itself to add the face of a woman who looks similar to 6k1, but without glasses and with white-and-purple hair.◊

"What is it that you wish to discuss with me?" she says stoically.

6k1 fills in on her about the spaceship repairs. Tang then turns to Sol and asks them, "Why don't you ask Professor Hal about this instead? He is more qualified for the job."

"What field of science do you work in?" asks Juan.

"Xenobiology and xenobotany — it's like Earth biology and botany, but for Vertumnan flora and fauna, while Professor Hal is a computer engineer. Since he programmed Congruence, the AI of our former spaceship, and has done routine maintenance on her and the repurposed ship facilities, I am confident he can repair the one you just told me about, whatever its schematic is."

Sol nods to Tang and gets up. "Alright, I'll go ask him at the Engineering Wing. Be right back."

They then leave the Living Quarters.

Dark Stanford's Lair

Looniversity Room/Hallway

Spike hugs Alex back and cries into his shoulder, not thinking if his tears would roll down the Charmeleon's back and extinguish his tail, even if just slightly.

"Th-Thanks..."

He then holds onto him as he carries him, and Veena carefully bites Alex to heal him before he goes out.

As Ugo lifts Twilight onto his shoulder, she bursts into tears as he heads out. She knows that someone will tell her later, but she wants answers now, and she wants to hear them from CAC himself. However, Ugo hurries outside before Knox could tell those at the hallway about Blood Moon's last-ditch plan to save everyone from the X.

Steven puts his visor back on and runs outside, prompting Bismuth to chase him.

"Hey, they're not done talkin'! WAIT FOR US!!!"

"But I need to say goodbye to those outside first!!!"

Outside

"Hey, it's not our fault that—"

Peridot immediately gets shushed by Pearl. "Listen to Garnet..."

The tiny Gem grumbles and crosses her arms.

Garnet then takes one step forward and firmly tells Blood Moon, "Look at Rouki. He may be as evil as you, but at least he remained civil when he offered to team up with them."

"We know he tried hurting Discord right after we freed him..." says Pearl, prompting the draconequus to shoot a glare at Rouki (if he also made it outside).

"But he genuinely helped us in rescuing them!"

"We let him in on the condition that we punish him should he betray us..."

"So you better get your head together, Blood Moon!"

"Yeah!" says Amethyst.

Just then, Bismuth catches up with Steven, Ugo, and the others in time to hear exactly what Knox told her a while ago. Twilight, still resting on Ugo's shoulder, tries glaring at Blood Moon, remembering their last battle, but she quickly turns her head away from him.

Bismuth then gasps at Ugo. To think that this was the same man who almost took "suicide mission" literally... she thinks.

She and Steven would hug him right now, but they don't want to accidentally crush Twilight under both of their strengths.

"P-Please..." Steven begs him, "I know you want to save the Multiverse and all, but... please stay with her. I know how stressful being a true hero is, and sometimes... retreating now is the best option, since getting everyone out of here is still hero work!"

Twilight tries listening in despite her mind swarming with so many uneasy thoughts about everything going on around her and what had recently transpired.

"I... need... you..." she pleads to Ugo.

"As for me..." Steven continues, "I'm still staying here to finish the fight."

"So will I," says Garnet.

"Me too," says Pearl.

"Me three!" adds Amethyst. "We OG Crystal Gems gotta stick together!"

"But are you sure about this?" asks Connie. "What about 6k1? And those back in Beach City? My mom must be worried sick of me, so I'm going with the Equestrians on the ship."

"While I'll go help the Wolf Rookie pilot this thing!" says Peridot.

Lapis just shrugs. "Guess I'll go with them. There's only so much my water powers can do here..."

Connie smiles at the two Gems. "Alright, we Crystal Temps are ready!"

"And again Ugo," says Bismuth, "wherever you go, I'll go with ya. You're not leaving my sight. But ya really made it this far, man! If ya still have the guts to fight Raven Beak and Dark Stanford, then I ain't stoppin' ya! But remember, this planet's now a tickin' time bomb... but this time, if you die, then at least you die for the greater good, and I bet that everyone back home will remember ya for that!"

"But no matter what you choose," says Steven, "I still hope there's at least some way we can all get out of here!"

Meanwhile, Discord harrumphs at Fire Eyes and Blood Moon.

"Can you just let us into the ship right now if you're gonna blow this place up, anyway? I'd rather do my chaos anywhere else but here!"

Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 1st 2024 at 9:21:08 PM

"Harley wound up like Sukuna, and me and Six nominated two very different monkes... eh, just catching up on the Games. Anywho, however big these changes are, methinks you and the school'll handle 'em fine."

Hotel Room, 5th Floor

“Ugh! I’m so booooreed! Why’d the show hafta end?” Swain’s eyes opened, and he scoffed in annoyance. “Out of all the children in the world, I have to be stuck with the hyperactive one from another planet. Payment for my crimes, I presume.” Nomi turned to Swain with an annoyed look on their face. “Oh, don’t be so dry, there’s gotta be something we can do that doesn’t involve leaving this room. And I’m not a kid, either. Ooh! Maybe we can walk around the floor together? We’d have to leave the room, but still!” Swain sighed and got up. “Alright, fine. But please speak quietly so no one is disturbed.” They got out and paced the floor, walking in silence until Nomi spoke up. “Sooo… if you know every secret, how much do you know?” “Well, I know everything, and I mean everything. I’ve seen barbarians form the state of Noxus in the distant past and I’ve seen every country bear my empire’s standard in the far future. I’ve seen old men die, men kill each other, and women cradle their children. I’ve seen planets near and far, and I’ve even caught the faintest glimpse of other realities. An “eye opening” experience, if you will.” Nomi grinned at this. “Wow! If I knew everything, I’d just breeze through class. Professor Hal would be so impressed.” Swain raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Who is “Professor Hal”?” “Professor Hal teaches all the kids! He’s really nice. Oh, and his real name is Halitosis- why are you laughing?” Indeed, Swain was now chuckling loudly, which he quickly stopped before clearing his throat. “My dear, I’m not sure if you know this, but that means “bad breath.” Your professor’s name is “bad breath.” He then descended into more chuckling. Nomi frowned. “Hey! Just ‘cause his name is weird doesn’t mean that you should make fun of him! Besides, no one in the colony cares. All of us got “fancy names”.” “Really? What an odd settlement. I’m glad I don’t live there. No offense.” Nomi made a face. They then continued walking until they headed back to their room.

Shelter

(Meanwhile, Kay steps out of the room she had been in.) Hey, like, anybody seen Verda and Zinnia went?

Haven't seen 'em, Kay-by Baby. (The Cyan Birdo says.) Zinnia’s probably somewhere looking for something to eat if I know her, though.

Well, I asked Yogi and his pals if they’d seen her and they said no. (Kay says.) Maybe I should ask Ms. B.

Oh, you rang? ("Miss B." asks, entering the room.) Something wrong, Kay?

Oh, like, Verda and Zinnia like totally vanished into thin air. (Kay explains to the pink Birdo.)

Oh? I thought these two looked familiar. ("Miss B." says, showing Kay her phone. Much to Kay's surprise, Verda and Zinnia, the Green and Orange Birdos respectively, are on standby for the upcoming season.)

Well, aren’t they lucky! (Dana says, walking over to look as well.) Least they’re getting some time outta this shelter.

You got that right, girl. I hope they do well. (Kay says.)

ZDR

Hallway

(Zuma looks at Veena.)    Veena, if we can save the stone, but the rest of us cannot escape before the planet's destruction, you must take it and leave the planet however you can.    (He says to her.)

(Veena reflexively coils up in shock.)    Zuma, are you sure?   

   If you were able to be as close as you were to Joaquin after he seized you, you may be able to be exposed to the stone longer than the rest of us would without becoming a Nightmare.    (Zuma says.)    At least...that's my guess.   

We must hope there is some other way for us to escape if help cannot arrive soon enough. (Cleo says.) Perhaps Rivet is right and there is another way to escape hidden from us. I shall scan as thoroughly as possible.

   Yeah, I bet I've got something, too.    (Wanda says.)    Ben?   

I've got you guys covered! (Ben says, brandishing the Omnitrix.)

   We should ALL keep an eye out however we can.    (Greta says.)

Outside

Mmm mm, only thing missing after that was a mic for that guy to drop. (Reba asides to Les.)

Can't say I disagree with him. (Tenn says.) You've pulled off so much crap that I dunno how much any of us can trust you either.

(July, meanwhile, angrily gestures at Blood Moon.) If you lay a hand on either one of my sisters... (She hisses.) ...I just...don't know what I'll do.

Don't worry, Sis, we can figure out a way to take him on. (August says.)

(June looks anxious.) ...I...I really hope there's a way for us to get off. There's gotta be something somewhere, right?

Palm Key

(With restoring Jacoby being a success, it seems like a surefire bet that restoring the others as well should be a cinch. Jacoby looks on with the others and it seems like it's finally dawning on him just what happened to him.)

I can't believe I was one of those...those...! (Jacoby gasps in horror.)

The good news is that these guys'll be right as rain in just a second! (Ira says.)

I should only restore them one at a time. (Dr. Quest says.) Restoring just you took a lot of energy from our systems here.

Oh...I see. (Jacoby says, not understanding what that means. Everything here is unlike anything he's seen back home before.) B-But you're gonna help everyone, right?

Of course. (Dr. Quest sets the restoration procedure to the chamber with the lava monster inside.)

(Once again, an intense glow surrounds the chamber for a time. It clears to reveal a stone gray gargoyle that seems to resemble Taki in some ways, but it's clear from the gargoyle's much more curvaceous figure that it's a female one and she is wearing a curiously advanced-looking blue flight suit of some kind. Jared wonders for a moment if she knows Taki.)

ELISA!! (Jacoby bellows.)

Friend of yours? (Ira asks.)

My best friend! Oh no, I didn't realize that had happened to her, too! Oh no, oh dear- (Jacoby says, frantically tugging on his fin-like ears before turning to Dr. Quest.) Thank you for saving my friend Elisa! Thank you!!

(The gargoyle groans and sits up.) Oh man...what IS this place? Who are you people? Jackie? Where are we?

Dr. Nadelstein changed us both into something horrible, b-b-but...this HUMAN wizard here changed us back to normal! (Jacoby says.)

I guess you could call Dad a SCIENCE wizard! (Jonny remarks to Hadji. The boys laugh.)

Well, was I right, or was I right, Jackie? Told you there were nice humans out there! (The gargoyle says, standing up and casually leaning against the side of her capsule...whereupon she notices the other two still mutated victims with her. She cringes.) ...Jackie, I dunno who did this, but it sure wasn't that annoying doctor. Based on what Melvin and Eleanor told us, he could NOT do something like that to us.

   Yeah, it's a long story.    (Chikao says.)

(Dr. Quest opens the door to Elisa's chamber, allowing her to join the others...and promptly get swept into a hug by Jacoby.)

Jackie-!! Oof-!! (Elisa wheezes before Jacoby finally sets her down.) Phew, times like this I'm glad I'm so durable.

I'm sensing a theme here, Doctor. (Race says to Dr. Quest.) Whoever was doing this seemed to be targeting sapient non-humans.

We aren't done yet, Mr. Bannon. (Dr. Quest says.) We still have two more to go.

Edited by Scipion3 on May 1st 2024 at 12:56:54 PM

Ugo: (Looks at Twilight and Steven) Okay. I'll stay with Twilight, then.

Dick/Elfin: We will stay too.

Edited by CosmosAndChaos on May 1st 2024 at 8:35:59 AM

Safety Shelter

Nozomi then sits down.

"How about we pass the time? This is supposed to be classified to people from other dimensions we just met, but we came from a space station. We travel to other dimensions all the time!"

"It's pretty fun!" Ai adds.

"Now what?" Asked Keitaro.

Ooh! We could draw something." Said Adeleine.

Edited by Oggy123 on May 1st 2024 at 4:29:59 PM

Underground Bunker

"But where will we go?" Paper asks Ichi. "I know we have the resources to try attracting more students, but it just won't be the same as waiting for an 'unexpected' one from the Arena to show up here!"

"Really?" asks Bezier.

"Yeah, we've had students ranging from a manly fairy to crazy animals to even an ordinary lady obsessed with beef!"

Bezier tries imagining those kinds of students at the School of Friendship and laughs.

"Oh Solaris, you went really far and wide with class diversity there!"

"Heehee, yep! And I want to keep that up! It's just that I don't know where else has that wide variety of prospective students, 'cuz I still want to teach someone as absurd as the grass around here our craft!"

Star looks at Paper in confusion for a good long while, but then smiles at her.

"Since technically, you're still my sister, I'll see if I can help you when you're ready to move out!"

The Science Center, Safety Shelter

Whatever is the reason for your request to keep this confidential, but I assure you that the three of us and 6001 are trustworthy, says Ally.

"Our lips are sealed!" says Mimi, while Dupe does the lip-zipping gesture.

In other news, I saw something around here a while ago that your children might enjoy, Ally continues. I shall return shortly.

She goes back to the mini-lab but finds Verdi now scribbling all over the place.

Are you preoccupied with something? she asks without sounding confrontational.

While 6k1's group waits for Sol to come back, Rua briefly approaches the DM again to report to her that Terk, despite wanting to try out VR like Kala, decided against it for now out of fear of killing her elephant friend this season, while Tantor himself is too scared of the Arena to use VR. Rua also tells 6k1 about a Wooloo being nominated in the same season as the Black Eagles now.

"I know you are concerned about them, especially the Wooloo, so I checked is Trainer and Secret IDs against your Sunshine's, and it's not her this season."

"Oh good, after what she did to them a hundred seasons ago, I'm glad she's not there with them yet again."

"Yet again?" asks Juan.

"Yeah, I can count the number of times a Wooloo and the Black Eagles showed up together on literally one hand, not necessarily by the same nominator(s), and I think it's not a coincidence at this point."

"But why?" asks Rex.

"And what did your Wooloo do to them?!" asks Nomi worriedly.

6k1 is about to tell them when what looks like an alternate version of Human Fluttershy shows up in the Arena.

"Tammy?!" Nomi shouts.

"Chill out, Noms," says Rex, "I'm sure she'll turn out fine no matter what happens there! Besides, everyone is data cloned as per the Panemian law!"

"Well actually," says 6k1 with a slightly worried tone, "it's still possible for her (or an alt of her, I don't know either) to die while using VR depending on how severe her death is and how well she can handle it!"

"I couldn't have said it better myself," says Tang nonchalantly. "Those were the exact specs I found in our research for Chief Rhett to improve the hyperrealism of the virtspace rooms. But unfortunately, no one is safe from timewrecking because the probability of dying to 7,775 fatal day events alone, while using the virtspace room, is 100%."

Nomi screams and hugs Rex tight, and he tries calming them down by gently patting their head.

"Shhh.... it's okay, Nomi-Nomi. That's just one possible death out of that many! What are the chances of that happening?"

"And to be fair," says Tang, "the real Tammy would simply die from sheer mental shock, and she can easily be revived with ultra-advanced defibrillators."

"Th-That's good, but it still doesn't make that death any better..." says Nomi. They don't even ask if that's what Sunshine did to the Black Eagles all those seasons ago.

The Strato-Helio Colony, Vertumna IV

Anemone's text color is canonically orange/cinnamon, but I changed it to red since I'll use cinnamon for Dys, while Vace will speak in bold red.

As Sol walks from the Living Quarters to the Engineering Wing, they look around at the bright pink fungal blossoms of Late Pollen. Along the way, they spot Anemone, still in her military uniform, walking from the Sportsball Field and taking a swig from her canteen. Sol quickly runs up to her and asks her what's up.

"Are you alright, Nema?" they ask. "I saw your data clone last season and er... you? She? Had it pretty rough there!"

Anemone wipes off some sweat from her forehead and exhales deeply before raising a brow at them.

"What do you mean, Sol? I just finished a sportsball match with the kids and I never got any announcement that I'd be competing for the Hunger Games!"

"Huh, really? Er... okay then. Forget that I asked." They shrug. "Glad you're okay, though."

"Yeah, thanks for asking!"

Sol would clarify that the Anemone last season was most likely an alt, but that might implicate their "past visions" of her to the one in front of them.

"Anyway, what are you doing out here?" she asks.

"I'm on my way to see Professor Hal to ask him if he can repair a spaceship!" Sol points to the Engineering Wing up ahead.

"What for?" asks Anemone. "I don't see any new ship around here!"

"Oh, it's in Panem, Nema, and the people there told me about it 'cuz they want to help some refugees who crash-landed near their place!"

"I see! Well, good luck with that!"

"Thanks!"

Sol then continues walking to the Engineering Wing.

Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 1st 2024 at 7:57:26 PM

The Arena

I’m not gonna cover Tammy’s OOC moments cause I can’t even imagine her doing this stuff. Which probably means a lot of it.

Volibear stands over Zagreus wielding a large sword crackling in lightning. “Blood! (He laughs savagely) Always tastes the same!” With that, he lops off Zag’s head. As he leaves, he turns back to the corpse. “Even in a coward, the heart is still wild.” He grins and lets out a low growl. “That is why it must be eaten last.”

The Hotel Room, 5th Floor

Swain and Nomi are sitting around as usual, when the show they were watching starts playing again. “Swain Swain Swain wake uuuppp! The show’s startin’ again!” Swain woke up with a start. “What? Really? So soon? At least we have another way to entertain ourselves.” Nomi nodded their head excitedly. “Yeah! Look at-“ Their jaw dropped in surprise. “Oh my gosh it’s Tammy! And she’s using a bomb?! But she’s so nice! Weird.” Swain’s expression was unchanged. “I’ve seen people change for much less, my dear. If anything, I find it amusing. And that large bear interests me. I remember a warmother from the Frejlord telling me that her tribe worshipped a god. What was his name? Ah yes, “Volibear.” They called him many names.” Nomi turned to Swain. “Religion is a weird concept to me. Don’t practice any, the Helios are too busy being boring and the Stratos don’t really practice it either. He looks scary. Oh, but Tammy is so sweet! Why’s she doin’ this stuff?” Swain chuckled grimly. “Violence changes people, child. Always does.”

Edited by J99908 on May 1st 2024 at 9:17:40 AM